KAILUA-KONA — Two Hawaii Island men died Saturday from injuries sustained in separate traffic crashes Friday night.
Elvis Sheppard, a 43-year-old Kailua-Kona man, was involved in a two-vehicle traffic crash on Friday evening at the intersection of Hina Lani Street and Kamanu Street in Kailua-Kona.
Responding to a 7:36 p.m. call, police determined that a 2016 Honda motorcycle operated by Sheppard had been traveling east on Hina Lani Street when it was involved in a broadside collision with a 2006 Kia four-door sedan operated by a 61-year-old Kailua-Kona man who failed to yield the right of way to the motorcycle as he executed a left turn in the western direction from Kamanu Street onto Hina Lani Street.
Following the collision, Sheppard was taken to the Kona Community Hospital. The operator of the Kia sedan was uninjured.
Sheppard remained at the Kona Community Hospital through the evening where he was noted to be in critical condition. He succumbed to his injuries on Saturday and was pronounced dead at 10:24 a.m.
Police believe that speed and inattention were factors in the crash, and an autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent homicide investigation and is asking anyone who may have witnessed the accident to contact Officer Justin Hooser at 326-4646, ext. 229.
Robbie Weeks, a 48-year-old Hilo man, also died Saturday morning following a single vehicle crash on Highway 11 just south of the 99 mile marker in Kealakekua.
Responding to a 7:47 p.m. call Friday, police determined that a 1992 Mazda two door convertible sedan operated by Weeks had been traveling north on Highway 11 between the 98 and 99 mile markers when he failed to negotiate a right curve, crossed left of center on the roadway and ran off of the west side of the road overturning down an embankment.
Weeks was taken to the Hilo Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:54 a.m. Saturday.
Police believe speed and inattention were factors in the crash.
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 may have witnessed the accident to contact Officer Christopher Kapua-Allison at 326-4646, ext. 229. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo.
The two deaths were the eighth and ninth traffic fatalities this year compared to 10 at this time last year.
