An 84-year-old man from Japan died Tuesday night (January 29) from injuries he sustained in one-vehicle traffic crash on January 25 on Saddle Road, .8 miles west of the 45-mile marker.

The victim was identified as Sunao Kashiwai, of Shimame, Japan.

Responding to a 3 p.m. call, South Kohala patrol officers determined that a 56-year-old Keaau man was operating a 2002 Honda multi-purpose vehicle and traveling east on Saddle Road when he lost control, ran off the right side of the road and overturned.

The driver, the victim and the victim's 70-year-old wife, also of Japan, were transported to North Hawaii Community Hospital. All occupants were wearing their seat belts.

The victim was later flown to The Queens Medical Center in Honolulu, where he died at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.

It is unknown at this time if speed or alcohol played roles in this crash.

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

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

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