HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
SERGEANT SAMUEL V. JELSMA
PHONE: 961-2332
APRIL 10, 2002
H-03369
MEDIA RELEASE
A 52-year-old Kona man died Wednesday (April 10, 2002) at Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu from injuries he sustained in a traffic accident that occurred two days earlier in Kailua-Kona.
The victim was identified as Raymond Rosenthal, of a Kalaoa address in Kona.
Responding to an 8:51 p.m. call Monday, police officers determined that the victim had been riding a Cannondale bicycle north on Alii Drive when he was struck near the one-mile marker by a boat and trailer being pulled by a 2000 Chevrolet pickup truck. The truck and trailer, also heading north, were in the process of passing the bicyclist at the time.
The victim, who sustained head injuries, was transported to the Kona Community Hospital, where he was reported in critical condition. He was later flown to Queen’s, where he died at 8:25 a.m. Wednesday.
The driver of the truck, identified as Kevin Awa, 28, of Captain Cook, and his passenger, identified as Chris Awa, 31, of Holualoa, were not injured in the accident. At the time of the accident, they were on their way to the Kailua Pier to launch the boat and go fishing for the evening.
Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a standard negligent homicide investigation and ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Rosenthal’s death was the 14th traffic fatality on the Big Island so far this year, compared to seven recorded by April 10 last year.
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