An 18-year-old Puna man died Saturday from injuries he sustained as a passenger in a one-vehicle crash on Route 11 near mile marker 9 in Keaau.
An 18-year-old Puna man died Saturday from injuries he sustained as a passenger in a one-vehicle crash on Route 11 near mile marker 9 in Keaau.
He was identified as Albert Gonsalves of Keaau.
Responding to a 3:59 a.m. call, Puna patrol officers determined an 18-year-old Keaau man had been driving north in a 2011 Toyota four-door sedan when he crossed the centerline, ran off the road and collided with a utility pole and fence.
Fire rescue personnel took the driver and two other passengers, both 18, to Hilo Medical Center. One of the passengers was flown to The Queen’s Medical Center and the other went into surgery. The driver was admitted with internal injuries.
Gonsalves was also taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 7:08 a.m.
None of the four occupants were wearing seat belts. Police believe speed and drug use were factors in this crash.
Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Police have also initiated negligent injury, operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant and promoting a detrimental drug cases.
Police ask anyone with information about this case to call Officer Casey Cabral at 961-8889.
This is the second traffic fatality this year on Hawaii Island compared with one at this time last year.