Updated at 3:26 p.m., Saturday, October 13, 2007
Drunken driving suspected in fatal Big Island crash
Advertiser Staff
Big Island police have identified a man who died Wednesday from injuries he sustained in a one-car crash on Oct. 5 as Mathew Rogers, 22, of Kailua, KonaThe case has been classified as a negligent homicide.
Rogers was a passenger in a Toyota two-door sedan that ran off the road as it was heading southbound on Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway near the 81-mile marker. Rogers, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the car in the the 2 a.m. crash.
He was pronounced dead at Maui Memorial Hospital at 5:26 p.m. on Oct. 10.
The driver, 22-year-old Ryan Depoy of Kailua, Kona, was arrested the night of the crash for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant. He was released pending further investigation and taken to The Queen's Medical Center for treatment of injuries he sustained in the crash. Police suspect speed and alcohol as factors.
Police ask anyone who may have witnessed this crash to call Officer Joshua Lewis at 808-326-4646, ext. 229, or Acting Sergeant Wendall Carter at 808-961-2332.
This is the 31st traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 29 at this time last year.
