Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have arrested four Mexican nationals on suspicion of negligent homicide in the death of 33-year-old Joel Aguilar Ramirez of Kainaliu following a one-vehicle crash on Route 180 between the 7- and 8- mile markers in Kona.

Arrested were Salvador Gonzalez Cruz, 27, Jaime Lopez Aguilar, 23, Gerardo Aguilar Garza, 19 and Ivan Ramos Villegas, 18, all of Kainaliu.

All four were arrested at Kona Community Hospital after being treated and released for minor injuries.

The driver of the vehicle is still undetermined and officers are continuing their investigation.

After conferring with the Hawaii County Prosecutor's Office, police later released the four men pending further investigation.

Responding to a 3:33 a.m. call, Kona patrol officers determined that a 1996 Geo multi-purpose vehicle was traveling south on Route 180 when the driver lost control, ran off the right side of the road and overturned.

The five male occupants, who were not wearing seat belts, were ejected from the vehicle.

Police believe that speed and alcohol were factors in this crash.

Police ask anyone with information about this crash to call Officer Marvin Troutman at 326-4646, extension 233.

This is the 16^th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 23 at this time last year.

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