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Ka’u fatal (update No. 2) 09-13-06

HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
SERGEANT CHRISTOPHER D. GALI
PHONE: 961-2332
SEPTEMBER 12, 2006
C06028452

MEDIA RELEASE

An autopsy conducted on a 68-year-old Hawaiian Ocean View Estates man who died Sunday (September 10, 2006) after being involved in a one-vehicle crash Saturday determined that he died of a heart attack and not from injuries sustained in the crash.

Responding to an 11:25 a.m. call on Saturday (September 9, 2006), Ka’u patrol officers determined that a 1979 Chevrolet pickup truck operated by a 64-year-old Hawaiian Ocean View Estates man was traveling south on Route 11 when it ran off the right side of the road, struck a culvert and overturned. The passenger, Martin Knowlton, was partially ejected from the truck. The truck apparently had no seat belts.

Fire rescue personnel took both the driver and Knowlton to Ka’u Hospital. The driver was treated and released. Knowlton was later transferred to Kona Community Hospital. He died at the hospital at 3:46 a.m. Sunday.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have reclassified the case from a negligent homicide to a coroner’s inquest.

The traffic fatality count for the Big Island was reduced to 26 compared with 28 at this time last year.

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