HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
OFFICER ERIC CEREZO
PHONE: 961-2332
DECEMBER 29, 2004
I-17114/KN
CORONER’S INQUEST
MEDIA RELEASE
A teen-age boy died Wednesday (December 29, 2004) of injuries he suffered in a one-car crash on Queen Kaahumanu Highway (Route 19) nearly the 76-mile marker in Waikoloa, South Kohala.
The victim was identified as Kyle Umeda, 18, of a Waimea address.
Responding to a 12:39 a.m. call, South Kohala patrol officers determined that the accident occurred when Umeda, the sole occupant, was driving a 2003 Toyota four-door sedan that accelerated out of the Waikoloa Beach Drive intersection onto queen Kaahumanu Highway, went out of control and ran off the shoulder of the road, ejecting him from the car.
Umeda was taken to the North Hawaii Community Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead at 1:30 a.m.
Speed is believed to have been a factor in the crash, and police determined that the victim was not wearing his seatbelt. Police have not yet determined if alcohol was a factor in the crash and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call Officer Eric Cerezo of the Traffic Enforcement Unit at 961-2332.
Wednesday’s death is the 40th traffic fatality on the Big Island so far this year, compared to 35 for the same time last year.
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