Hāmākua fatality 07-12-09

Hawai’i Police Department
Traffic Enforcement Unit
Sergeant Christopher D. Gali
Phone: 961-2332
July 12, 2009

Media Release

A 24-year-old Kea’au man died Sunday (July 12) from injuries he sustained in a one-vehicle crash on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) .2 miles west of the 51-mile marker in the Hāmākua District.

The victim was identified as Albert I. Laurdin, of a Kea’au address.

Responding to a 5:10 a.m. call, Hāmākua patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 2001 Nissan multi-purpose vehicle and traveling west on the highway when he ran off the right side of the road and overturned.

A passenger in the vehicle, a 22-year-old Honoka’a man was taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital, where he was listed in satisfactory condition.

Both occupants were not wearing their seat belts and were ejected from the vehicle.

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

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 information about this case to call Officer Andres Fojas at 961-8889.

This is the 13th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 14 at this time last year.



This entry was posted in Media Releases. Bookmark the permalink. Both comments and trackbacks are currently closed.
  • Keep your community safe through Crime Stoppers

    Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

    The Crime Stoppers TV Program is available on-demand from Nā Leo TV.