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53-year-old male killed in three-vehicle collision 10-17-04

HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
ACTING SERGEANT ROBERT HATTON
PHONE: 961-2332
October 17, 2004
I-O9065/HL

MEDIA RELEASE

One male party was killed Sunday (October 17, 2004) from injuries he suffered in a three-vehicle collision at the intersection of Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19), and Old Mamalahoa Highway, Hakalau, Hawaii.

Responding to a 2:26 p.m. call Sunday, South Hilo Patrol Officers determined that the victim, identified as Wayne V. Ortiz, M-53, of Papaikou, was operating his Harley Davidson Motorcycle southbound on Route 19 near the Hakalau Overpass when a Toyota van traveling north on Route 19, turned left onto Old Mamalahoa Highway into the path of Ortiz. The van was operated by Katherine Akerberg, F-64, of Keaau. After the collision with Akerberg’s van, Ortiz continued South and struck a northbound Suzuki multi-purpose vehicle operated by Gregory Gauthier, M-32 of Waikoloa.

Ortiz was transported to the Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 3:35 p.m. Akerberg was also taken to the Hilo Medical Center where she was treated and released. Gauthier was not injured in the collision.

Police have not determined if speed or alcohol were factors in the crash and an autopsy has been ordered. Anyone with information or who witnessed the collision is asked to please contact Officer Norbert Serrao of the Traffic Enforcement Unit at 961-2332.

Sunday’s crash is the 34th Traffic Fatality on the Big Island so far this year, compared to 29 for he same time last year.

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