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Kailua-Kona fatalities 05-23-10 (posted 05-24-10)

Hawai’i Police Department
Traffic Enforcement Unit
Sergeant Christopher D. Gali
Phone: 961-2332
May 23, 2010
Report No. C10014842

Media Release

An 20-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy, both of Kona, were killed Saturday (May 22) from injuries they sustained in a three-vehicle crash on Palani Road, .5 miles east of the 38 mile-marker.

Responding to a 11:54 p.m. call, Kona patrol and Traffic Enforcement Unit officers determined that a 1997 Honda two-door sedan was traveling east on Palani Road and possibly racing with another vehicle when the Honda lost control, ran off the right side of the road, crossed the centerline and collided with a 2006 Toyota multi-purpose vehicle traveling west. The Honda continued sliding across the west bound lane and collided with a 2007 Chrysler four-door sedan also traveling west.

The driver of the Honda was identified as Kyle R. Buckley, 20, of Kealakekua. Fire rescue personnel took him to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 12:40 a.m.

The 16-year-old boy, a passenger in the Honda, was dead at the scene and officially pronounced dead at 2:45 a.m. His name is being withheld pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.

The driver of the Toyota, a 25-year-old man from Oahu, his passengers, a 21-year-old man from Kailua-Kona and two boys, ages 1 and 3, were treated and released from Kona Community Hospital.

The driver of the Chrysler, a 23-year-old woman from Kailua-Kona and her passenger, a 23-year-old woman from Oahu were also treated and released.

It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs were involved but that speed was definitely a factor in this crash.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide and coroner’s inquest case and have ordered autopsies to determine the exact cause of death.

Police ask that anyone with information about this crash or anyone who may know the identity of the driver or vehicle that was possibly racing with the Honda call Officer Joshua Lewis at 326-4646, extension 229.