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Kona man, 76, dies in collision 11-11-02

HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
OFFICER ROBERT HATTON
PHONE: 961-2332
NOVEMBER 10, 2002
H-27523

MEDIA RELEASE

A 76-year-old Kona man died Sunday (November 10, 2002) following a two-car collision that occurred on Palani Road.

The victim was identified as Albert Moriguchi, 76, of a Kailua-Kona address.

Responding to a 2 p.m. call Sunday, police determined that the victim was a passenger in a 1993 Mercury sedan traveling East on Palani Road one-tenth of a mile west of the intersection with the Old Mamalahoa Highway (Route 180) when the sedan he was riding in was struck head on by a 1989 Nissan sedan that had crossed the centerline into his lane.

The victim and his wife, identified as Yooko Moriguchi, 71, were both wearing seatbelts. They were taken to the Kona Community Hospital, where the husband was pronounced dead at 4 p.m. His wife was later flown to the Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu for additional treatment.

The driver of the Nissan was identified as Adan Solano Espinoza, 23, of a Kealakekua address. He was arrested for negligent homicide, negligent injury and driving without a licens and insurance. He remains in the Kona police cellblock pending charges.

One assenger in the Nissan was taken to the Kona hopital, where he was treated for injuries and released.

Speed and wet road conditions appear to be factors in the collision.

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

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