HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
OFFICER NORBERT SERRAO JR.
PHONE: 961-8889
MARCH 10, 2005
C05007463/KN
CORONER’S INQUEST

MEDIA RELEASE

An unidentified Kona man was killed Wednesday (March 9, 2005) in a one-vehicle crash on Napoopoo Road about nine-tenths of a mile south of the intersection with Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11).

The driver’s name is being withheld pending positive identification and notification of his family.

Responding to a 6:10 p.m. call, Kona patrol officers determined that the victim was driving a 1978 Jeep Multi-Purpose Vehicle south on Napoopoo Road when he lost control of the vehicle, which ran off the road, struck an embankment and overturned. The driver, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle.

The victim was taken to the Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:28 p.m.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a coroner’s inquest case and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Wednesday’s death was the 10th traffic fatality on the Big Island so far this year, compared to seven at the same time last year.

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