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Kau fatality update 02-18-06

HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
SERGEANT CHRISTOPHER D. GALI
PHONE: 961-2332
February 18, 2006

MEDIA RELEASE UPDATE

Police have identified a 48-year-old Kailua-Kona man who died from injuries he sustained in a two-vehicle collision on the Hawaii Belt Road (Route 11), .5 miles west of the 57 mile-marker in the Ka’u District.

The victim was identified as Lonnie A. Valencia, of a Kailua-Kona address.

Responding to a 2:58 p.m. (February 17, 2006) call, Ka’u patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 1986 Nissan 2-door sedan and traveling west on Route 11 when he crossed the centerline and collided with a 2000 International van traveling east.

The driver of the van, a 41-year-old Kailua-Kona man was transported to the Ka’u Hospital by Fire Rescue personnel and was treated and released with minor injuries.

The victim was transported to the Kona Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 8:01 p.m.

It appears that alcohol may be a factor in this crash.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

This is the 7th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year, compared to six at the same time last year.

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