A Naalehu man is dead after crashing a tractor-trailer in South Kona Monday morning.
A Naalehu man is dead after crashing a tractor-trailer in South Kona Monday morning.
Brysson Lorenzo Sr., 61, was driving a northbound 1994 Kenworth around 2:57 a.m. when he went off the right shoulder of the road and struck a rock embankment near mile marker 85 on Highway 11, or Mamalahoa Highway. The vehicle pitched onto the left side and caught fire several miles north of the Ka’u district boundary.
Lorenzo was taken to Kona Community Hospital and pronounced dead at 8:40 a.m.
Police do not believe speed was a factor in this crash and it is not immediately known if alcohol was a factor. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and is asking for anyone who witnessed the crash to call Officer Kimo Keliipaakaua at 326-4646, ext. 229. People who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
This brings the number of fatalities on public way to 17, against 15 this time last year.