Hawaii Island police have identified the man who died Sunday from injuries he suffered in a two-vehicle collision on the Keaau-Pahoa Road in Keaau. ADVERTISING Hawaii Island police have identified the man who died Sunday from injuries he suffered in
Hawaii Island police have identified the man who died Sunday from injuries he suffered in a two-vehicle collision on the Keaau-Pahoa Road in Keaau.
The victim was identified as 26-year-old Matthew S. Therrien of Hilo, according to the Hawaii County Police Department.
Responding to a 4:31 a.m. call, Puna patrol officers determined that Therrien was operating a 2010 Subaru multi-purpose vehicle and traveling west on the Keaau-Pahoa Road, also known as Route 130, when he apparently overtook another vehicle and collided with an eastbound 2004 Ford F-350 pickup truck, according to the Hawaii Police Department. The crash occurred between mile markers 3 and 4.
The driver of the Ford pickup truck, a 52-year-old Keaau man, was transported to Hilo Medical Center with minor injuries, according to police. He was also arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant and was released pending investigation.
Both drivers were wearing their seat belts, according to police.
Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Anyone with information about this crash is asked to call Officer Tuckloy Aurello at 961-8119.
This is the fourth traffic fatality on Hawaii Island roads this year compared with 11 at this time last year.