A 27-year-old man died following a single-vehicle crash on Thursday night on Mamalahoa Highway (Highway 190), just south of mile marker 17 in North Kona.
The Hawaii Police Department identified the man Friday afternoon as Andrew Charles Clark of Honoka‘a.
Responding to a 9 p.m. call, police determined that a gray 1999 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck that was heading north failed to negotiate a curve in the road and crossed over the double solid yellow lines. The truck then struck a rock embankment, overturned in the lava field, and caught on fire. The driver was transported to the Kona Community Hospital where he was later pronounced dead at 1:16 a.m. Friday.
Police believe that speed is a factor in the crash. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact Officer Adam Roberg at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229, or email at adam.roberg@hawaiicounty.gov. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
This is the 12th traffic fatality this year compared to seven at this time last year.