HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
ACTING SERGEANT NORBERT SERRAO
PHONE: 961-2332
SEPTEMBER 27, 2004
I-06732
MEDIA RELEASE
A Honaunau man was killed Friday (September 24, 2004) in a two-vehicle collision on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 11) near the 72-mile marker in the Ka’u District.
The victim was identified as Johnnie P. Gouveia, 28.
Responding to a 6:42 p.m. call Friday, Ka’u patrol officers determined that Gouveia was driving west when his 1988 Chevrolet Multi-Purpose Vehicle collided head on with a gray 1986 Toyota two-door sedan traveling in the opposite direction.
Gouveia was taken to the Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The driver of the Toyota, who has not been identified, was also taken to the Kona hospital, where he was listed in critical condition Friday.
Police have not determined if speed or alcohol were factors in the crash and an autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
Anyone with information about the collision or who witnessed it is asked to call Officer Eric Cerezo or Acting Sergeant Norbert Serrao Jr. of the Traffic Enforcement Unit at 961-2332.
Friday’s death was the 31st traffic fatality on the Big Island so far this year, compared to 22 for the same period last year.
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