Kaʻu man killed in all-terrain vehicle accident

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A 63-year old Kaʻu man is dead following an all-terrain vehicle accident on Wednesday afternoon in the Green Sands Beach area.

A 63-year old Kaʻu man is dead following an all-terrain vehicle accident on Wednesday afternoon in the Green Sands Beach area.

He was identified as Keith J. Leonatti of Naalehu.

Police say Leonatti was operating his ATV on a private four-wheel-drive gravel road near Green Sands Beach sometime after noon when he failed to return to meet with family members at the beach. At 12:41 p.m., family members found him unresponsive and trapped beneath the ATV.

Leonatti was pronounced dead at Hilo Medical Center at 8:09 p.m., police said. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

Anyone with any information about this crash should call the Hawaii Police Department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311 or Officer Christopher Kapua-Allison at 326-4646, ext. 229.

Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.