A man and woman died Tuesday evening after being ejected from a vehicle that veered off Queen Kaahumanu Highway in the vicinity of Kiholo Bay.
A man and woman died Tuesday evening after being ejected from a vehicle that veered off Queen Kaahumanu Highway in the vicinity of Kiholo Bay.
The victims have been identified as 24-year-old Michelle K. Deluz, of Waikoloa, and Gary J. Fergerstrom, 24, of Kailua-Kona, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
Deluz was driving a 2007 Honda two-door sedan when she apparently lost control, crossed the center line and ran off the mauka side of the road, according to police. The vehicle rolled several times about 200 feet into a lava field near mile marker 79.
Neither Deluz nor Fergerstrom were wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and were ejected from the vehicle, according to police.
The man was flown via helicopter to North Hawaii Community Hospital where he died at 3:34 p.m. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs were involved but speed was a factor in this crash, according to police.
Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide and coroner’s inquest case, according to police.
Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Thomas Koyanagi at 326-4646, ext. 229.
These are the 14th and 15th traffic fatalities on the Big Island this year compared with 14 at this time last year.