Kona multiple traffic fatality update 09-15-05

HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
SERGEANT CHRISTOPHER GALI
PHONE: 961-2232
SEPTEMBER 15, 2005
C05030699

MEDIA RELEASE UPDATE

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have identified the 42-year-old passenger of a 1992 Honda, four-door sedan that was involved in a motor vehicle/tractor trailer crash on Saturday (September 11, 2005) on Route 190 in the area of the 32 Mile Marker in North Kona.

The passenger was identified as Cheryl M. Turner, of a Naalehu address.

Responding to a 3:20 a.m. call, Kona patrol officers determined that a 1992 Honda, 4 door sedan, being operated by Alfredo Flores, was traveling south on Route 190 when it crossed the centerline and collided with a 2005 International tractor trailer traveling north. The driver of the tractor trailer attempted to avoid the collision by driving onto the right shoulder and struck the embankment and caught fire.

Three male occupants of the Honda were killed and pronounced dead at the Kona Community Hospital at 8:09 a.m. A 42-year-old female passenger in the Honda and the driver of the tractor trailer were transported to the Kona Community Hospital by Fire Rescue. The female passenger later died at 4:13 a.m.

Two passengers in the Honda were identified as Jaime Villamil Cortes, 30 and Nabor Rosas Hernandez, 33, of Kailua-Kona. The driver of the tractor trailer was identified as Kyle Fujimoto,50, of Hilo, who was treated for minor injuries and released.

The 42-year-old female passenger has been identified through fingerprints but officers are still trying to locate any next of kin.

Alcohol is believed to be factors in this crash.

The only people wearing seatbelts were the driver of the tractor trailer and the front seat passenger of the Honda.

A standard negligent homicide investigation has been initiated and autopsies have been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

Route 190 was closed to traffic while traffic investigators documented the scene and the road was cleared by the State Highway’s Division. The roadway was re-opened at 10:30 a.m.

Saturday’s death’s brings the death toll to 28 fatalities on the Big Island this year, compared to 29 at the same time last year.

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