Updated at 2:35 p.m., Saturday, July 21, 2007
Man killed on Big Island when SUV runs off road
Advertiser Staff
Big Island police have launched a negligent homicide investigation into an accident in South Kona Friday afternoon that killed a man who was a passenger in a 2000 Jeep Cherokee SUV. The vehicle ran off a road on Route 11 in Honaunau, struck an embankment and flipped over.According to police, the Jeep was traveling north near the 99-mile marker shortly after 4 p.m. when the driver apparently lost control and struck the embankment.
The passenger was pronounced dead at Kona Community Hospital at 7:40 p.m.
Investigators are trying to identify the driver. Speed and alcohol are thought to be contributing factors in the crash. Police ordered an autopsy. The name of the victim has not been released pending notification of the next of kin.
Police are asking that anyone with information about the crash to call officer Marvin Troutman at 808-326-4646, ext. 229, or acting sergeant Wendall Carter at 808-961-2332.
