Maui man Big Island’s first 2024 traffic fatality
A 31-year-old Maui man became the Big Island’s first traffic fatality in a single-vehicle collision Sunday morning in Kailua-Kona.
According to police, officers responding to a 4:35 a.m. call determined that a silver 2004 Nissan Frontier pickup was traveling makai of the intersection of Hawaii Belt Road (Highway 190) and the Highway 180 junction when it crossed over double-solid lines and struck a rock embankment. The pickup then overturned, struck a utility pole, and went down a 10-foot embankment.
The driver, who was alone in the truck, was pronounced dead at 6:08 a.m. at Kona Community Hospital
Police believe that speed and impairment are possible factors in the crash. The driver wasn’t wearing his seatbelt.
The man’s identity hasn’t been released, pending the notification of the next of kin.
West HawaiiArea II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Dayson Taniguchi at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229 or dayson.taniguchi@hawaiicounty.gov.
Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
