Hawaii Police Department
Traffic Enforcement Unit
Sergeant Christopher D. Gali
Phone:  961-2332
July 9, 2007
Report No. C07021609

Media Release (revised for fatality count)

An 84-year-old Hamakua man died Saturday (July 7) from injuries he sustained in a two-vehicle crash on the Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) in the area of the 41-mile post.

The victim was identified as William L. Ferreira of Kalopa.

Responding to an 8:39 a.m. call, Hamakua patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 1996 Honda two-door sedan and was on the shoulder of the highway facing in the Hilo direction when he made a U-turn to travel back in the Waimea direction.  The vehicle was then struck by a 1994 Chevrolet pick-up truck traveling east on the highway.

The victim was transported to the North Hawaii Community Hospital by fire rescue personnel where he died at 12:43 p.m.   The driver of the pick-up truck, a 44-year-old Kamuela man was not injured.  Both drivers were wearing their seatbelts.

Police do not believe that speed or alcohol contributed to this crash. 

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a standard negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

This is the 18^th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 18 at this time last year.