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Ka’u Man Dies After Being Struck by Car 11-03-01

HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
SERGEANT SAMUEL V. JELSMA
PHONE: 961-2332
NOVEMBER 3, 2001
G-86210

MEDIA RELEASE

A 23-year-old Ka’u man died Friday night (November 2, 2001) after he was struck by a motor vehicle on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) at the 82-mile marker in the Manuka area of Ka’u.

The victim was identified as Tillton Bunglick, of the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates subdivision.

Responding to a 6:38 p.m. call, police determined that the victim was standing on the roadway when he was struck by a 1993 Hyundai sedan driven by Blane K. Faris, 61, also of Hawaiian Ocean View Estates.

The victim was taken to the Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10:05 p.m. The driver of the car and his passenger, William R. Faris, 55, also of the HOVE subdivision, were not injured in the accident.

Before the accident, it was reported that the victim had been drinking and got involved in an altercation while traveling in a separate vehicle. When that vehicle stopped, the victim got out and started walking up the road. After the vehicle the victim was riding in had left, the victim was struck by Faris’ car.

The victim was wearing dark clothing at the time he was struck, and there were no lights in the area.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers are continuing the investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Bunglick’s death was the 24th fatality so far this year on the Big Island, compared with 32 at the same time last year.

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