A 45-year-old Kailua-Kona man died Thursday following a two-vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon on Highway 19 near Ookala. A 45-year-old Kailua-Kona man died Thursday following a two-vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon on Highway 19 near Ookala. ADVERTISING The victim has been identified
A 45-year-old Kailua-Kona man died Thursday following a two-vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon on Highway 19 near Ookala.
The victim has been identified as Kris Korban, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
Responding to the 3:58 p.m. report, police determined Korban was driving a northbound 1993 Ford Explorer sports utility vehicle when he apparently crossed the center line and collided head-on with a southbound Hele-On bus, according to the Hawaii Police Department. The wreck occurred near mile marker 30.
Korban was transported to Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 4:38 a.m. Thursday, according to police.
Five passengers from the bus were taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital where they were treated for minor injuries, according to police. The bus driver, a 58-year-old Hilo man, was treated for minor injuries at Hilo Medical Center.
That differs from a Hawaii Fire Department media statement that 15 people were injured in the crash with multiple patients transported. West Hawaii Today was unable to reach police for clarification regarding the number of people reported injured and transported.
Police suspect alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.
This is the 38th fatality on Big Island public roadways far this year compared with 21 at this time last year.
