POLICE BEAT
Head-on crash kills Kauai motorist, 67
Advertiser Staff
A Kekaha man was killed Saturday night in a head-on collision on Kaumuali'i Highway near 'Ele'ele Shopping Center, Kaua'i police said.
Roman Cruz, 67, died at the scene.
The collision between mile markers 15 and 16 was reported at 11:25 p.m. and forced the closure of the highway until 3:45 a.m. yesterday, said county spokeswoman Mary Daubert.
Cruz was driving west on Kaumuali'i Highway when his Acura hit a Chevy Nova that crossed the center line, according to a police preliminary report.
The 18-year-old man driving the Nova and a passenger, 17, were taken to Kaua'i Veterans Memorial Hospital, where they were listed in stable and fair condition, respectively.
Police said speed and alcohol may have been contributing factors.
It was Kaua'i's fourth traffic fatality this year.
Twenty-one people in Hawai'i have been killed in 21 traffic accidents in the first 55 days of 2008.
The statewide fatality breakdown, compiled by The Advertiser as of yesterday:
O'ahu (7) — Pedestrian (3), vehicle (3), moped (1).
Big Island (7) — Vehicle (5), pedestrian (1), motorcycle (1).
Kaua'i (4) — Vehicle (3), pedestrian (1).
Maui (3) — Vehicle (2), motorcycle (1).
