A 77-year-old Captain Cook man died following a single-vehicle crash Friday night in South Kona.
The victim was identified Saturday as Eugene Theodore “Bucky” Leslie, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
Responding to a 10:33 p.m. call, police determined that Leslie was driving a black 2013 Mercedes-Benz SUV and heading south on Mamalahoa Highway (Highway 11) when the vehicle struck a guardrail, crossed over the double solid yellow lines, and then struck a rock embankment north of the highway’s intersection with Napoopoo Road.
Leslie was transported to the Kona Community Hospital where he was later pronounced dead at 1:51 a.m. Saturday.
Police believe that speed was a possible factor in the crash. The vehicle driver was not wearing his seatbelt.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash should contact Officer Dayson Taniguchi at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229, or email at dayson.taniguchi@hawaiicounty.gov. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
This is the 11th traffic fatality this year compared to six at this time last year.