A 22-year-old Captain Cook man died following a two-vehicle collision Saturday morning in South Kona.
A 22-year-old Captain Cook man died following a two-vehicle collision Saturday morning in South Kona.
The man was identified as Kevin Kanoa’imipono Gladden, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
Responding to a 5:55 a.m. call, police determined that Gladden was operating a blue 2017 Toyota Tacoma pick-up truck heading south on Highway 11 when it crossed the double solid yellow lines and struck a white 2016 Ford F-250 Waste Management pickup truck head-on north of the intersection of the highway and Napo‘opo‘o Road.
Gladden was transported to Kona Community Hospital where he was later pronounced dead at 12:55 p.m.
The driver of Ford, a 44-year-old Waikoloa man, and his 36-year-old passenger, a Kailua-Kona woman, were taken to the same hospital and were treated where they were treated and released.
Police believe that speed and impairment are possible factors in the collision. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent homicide investigation and asks anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Jason Foxworthy at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229, or email at Jason.foxworthy@hawaiicounty.gov. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
This is the 23rd traffic fatality this year compared to 13 at this time last year.
