HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
SERGEANT SAMUEL V. JELSMA
PHONE: 961-2332
JULY 14, 2000
G-35145
MEDIA RELEASE
A female visitor died Friday afternoon (July 14, 2000) as the result of a single-car accident that occurred when the vehicle she was riding in ran off the shoulder of Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) and overturned in the Puuanahulu area of Kona.
The identities of the victim and driver are being withheld pending positive identification and notification of next of kin. Both are believed to residents from the U.S. mainland.
Responding to a 3 p.m. call, police officers determined that a 2000 Jeep Wrangler was heading south when it ran off the makai shoulder of the roadway near the 23-mile marker and overturned in the lava rocks. The male driver, who was wearing his seatbelt, remained in the vehicle while the female passenger, who was unbuckled, was ejected from the vehicle.
Both victims were transported to the Kona Community Hospital. The victim was pronounced dead at 6:39 p.m. The driver was later transported to Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu, where he was reported in critical condition.
Traffic Enforcement Unit officers are continuing the investigation into the crash and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
This was the 21st traffic fatality so far this year, compared to 16 during the same period last year.
# # #