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The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 3:49 p.m., Monday, November 5, 2007

Big Island man dies in crash; speed, alcohol suspected

Advertiser Staff

A 23-year-old Kailua, Kona man died Sunday after crashing on Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway, .3 miles south of the 85-mile marker, Big Island police said.

The victim of the one-vehicle crash was identified as Michael K. Gomes. An 18-year-old female passenger and a 2-year-old boy suffered minor injuries and were treated and released at North Hawaii Community Hospital.

Police said Gomes was driving a 2004 Chevrolet multipurpose vehicle south on Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway around 3:30 p.m. when he lost control and drove off the right shoulder of the road and overturned.

Gomes was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected, police said. Police said speed and alcohol were factors in the crash.

Witnesses told police that Gomes had been driving fast and had overtaken four to five other vehicles. Police ask that anyone with information about the crash to call Officer Marvin Troutman at 808-326-4646, ext. 229.

The crash was the 34th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared to 29 at the same time last year.