HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
SERGEANT SAMUEL V. JELSMA
PHONE: 961-2332
JUNE 14, 1999
F-95310
MEDIA RELEASE UPDATE
Police have classified the death of a Hawaiian Ocean View Estates man whose body was found last month in Kailua-Kona as a traffic-related casualty.
The body of the victim, Christopher Paul Rein, was found May 23, 1999, on the front lawn of the Head Start Building off Hualalai Road. An autopsy later determined that he had died as a result of internal injuries consistent with being involved in a traffic accident.
Investigating officers learned that Rein had been injured when his motorcycle collided with a car on May 20, 1999, as he was riding his 1982 Suzuki motorcycle on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) in Kealakekua, South Kona. Rein was heading north when a 1977 Toyota 4DSW heading south turned left off the highway onto Haukapila Street in front of Rein, whose motorcycle hit the side of the vehicle.
The driver of the Toyota, Terresa Cornelison, of Kailua-Kona, and her male passenger escaped injury.
Rein was taken to the Kona Community Hospital, where he refused complete treatment and was later released.
Traffic Enforcement Unit officers are continuing an investigation into the accident, and a standard negligent homicide investigation has been initiated.
Rein’s death was the eighth traffic fatality so far this year, compared to 15 at the same time last year.
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