A 25 year-old Keaau man died Monday (January 28) from injuries he sustained in a one-vehicle crash on Kalanianaole Street in the area of Kolea Street. 

The victim, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was identified as David H. Young, of a Keaau address.

Responding to a 11:30 p.m. call (January 27), South Hilo patrol and Traffic Enforcement Unit officers determined that a 1995 Honda 4-door sedan was traveling east on Kalanianaole Street at a high rate of speed, failed to negotiate a curve in the road and ran off the right side of the road and struck a utility pole.

The driver and passenger who were pinned in the vehicle were extricated by Fire Department personnel and transported to Hilo Medical Center. Neither occupant was wearing a seatbelt.

The victim died at 6:08 a.m. 

The driver of the vehicle, Nivan N. Agres, 23, of Hilo, was arrested for Negligent Injury, Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of an Intoxicant, Driving While License Suspended/Revoked for DUI and No Insurance. The negligent injury case was reclassified to Negligent Homicide. 

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

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

Police would like to speak to the driver of a vehicle that the Honda overtook in the area of Pua Avenue.

Police ask anyone with information about this crash to call Officer Wendall Carter at 961-2293.

This is the second traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with four at the same time last year.

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