Police say a 78-year-old Papaikou man died in a single-car collision early Tuesday afternoon in North Kona.
The man, identified as Jeffrey Lawrence Gross, was a passenger in a southbound 2014 Kia Sorento which ran off the road’s right shoulder near the 31.5-mile marker of Mamalahoa Highway (Highway 190), went down an embankment and overturned.
Gross was transported to Kona Community Hospital for treatment, where he died at 2:07 p.m. The car’s driver, a 48-year-old Papaikou woman, remains at Kona Community Hospital.
Police didn’t specify whether Gross or the driver were wearing seat belts.
The West Hawaii Traffic Enforcement Unit is asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Ansel Robinson at (808) 326-4646 ext. 229 or ansel.robinson@hawaiicounty.gov. Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
Gross’ death is the 17th traffic fatality so far this year compared to eight at this time last year.