Hawaii Island police have identified the man who died Sunday from injuries he suffered in a two-vehicle collision on the Keaau-Pahoa Road in Keaau.
Hawaii Island police have identified the man who died Sunday from injuries he suffered in a two-vehicle collision on the Keaau-Pahoa Road in Keaau.
The victim was identified as 26-year-old Matthew S. Therrien of Hilo, according to the Hawaii County Police Department.
Responding to a 4:31 a.m. call, Puna patrol officers determined that Therrien was operating a 2010 Subaru multi-purpose vehicle and traveling west on the Keaau-Pahoa Road, also known as Route 130, when he apparently overtook another vehicle and collided with an eastbound 2004 Ford F-350 pickup truck, according to the Hawaii Police Department. The crash occurred between mile markers 3 and 4.
The driver of the Ford pickup truck, a 52-year-old Keaau man, was transported to Hilo Medical Center with minor injuries, according to police. He was also arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant and was released pending investigation.
Both drivers were wearing their seat belts, according to police.
Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Anyone with information about this crash is asked to call Officer Tuckloy Aurello at 961-8119.
This is the fourth traffic fatality on Hawaii Island roads this year compared with 11 at this time last year.