HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
SERGEANT CHRISTOPHER D. GALI
PHONE: 961-2332
JANUARY 2, 2007
MEDIA RELEASE
An unidentified person died Sunday (December 31) from injuries sustained in a one-vehicle crash in Ka’u. The crash occurred 1,150 feet east of Marlin Boulevard in the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates subdivision.
Responding to a 10:20 p.m. call, Ka’u patrol officers determined that a 1993 Saturn 4-door sedan was traveling west on palm Parkway when the driver lost control and ran off the left side of the roadway. The vehicle then caught on fire.
Fire Department personnel extinguished the fire and discovered a body inside the car. It is unknown at this time whether the body is that of a male or a female.
The victim was taked to Kona Community hospital and pronounced dead at 10:41 a.m. Monday.
Police have not yet determined whether speed or alcohol were factors in the crash or whether the victim was wearing a seatbelt.
Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a coroner’s inquest case and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Police ask anyone with any information about the crash or the identity of the driver to call Officer Sharlotte Bird at 326-4646, extension 229.
Because the crash happened in a private subdivision, it is not counted toward the island’s official traffic fatality count.
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