Updated at 7:01 a.m., Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Big Island man killed in one-car crash identified
Advertiser Staff
A 47-year-old Puna man who died Monday from injuries sustained in a one-vehicle traffic crash at the south end of Railroad Avenue in Hilo has been identified as Kevin E. Bell of Mountain View.Responding to a 7:07 a.m. call, South Hilo patrol and Traffic Enforcement Unit officers determined that the driver was traveling south on Railroad Avenue in a 1988 Toyota 4-door sedan when he came to the dead end and crashed into a rock embankment.
The driver and a 40-year-old female passenger were transported to Hilo Medical Center. The driver was pronounced dead at 11:33 a.m. The passenger was listed in serious condition.
Police suspect that speed and alcohol were factors in the crash. The driver was not wearing a seat belt while the passenger was wearing one.
Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a coroner's inquest case and have ordered an autopsy.
This is the 22nd traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 20 at this time last year.
