HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
SERGEANT SAMUEL V. JELSMA
PHONE: 961-2332
FEBRUARY 23, 2002
G-98214
MEDIA RELEASE
A 20-year-old Puna man died and two other persons were injured in a three-vehicle collision Friday evening (February 22, 2002) on the Keaau-Pahoa Highway (Route 130) in Puna.
The fatality victim was identified as Logan Aolaolagi of a Paradise Park address.
Responding to a 6:40 p.m. call, police officer determined what the victim was driving a 1990 Acura sedan south on the highway and overtaking other cars on the right shoulder area at about the three-mile marker. Witnesses said the victim suddenly cut back into traffic and rear-ended a 1990 Jeep Cherokee also traveling toward Pahoa. The collision caused the victim’s sedan to cross the centerline as it slide sideways and was struck broadside by a 1995 Nissan pick-up truck heading toward Keaau.
Aolaolagi was taken to the Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 9:07 p.m.
The driver of the rear-ended Cherokee, identified as Alex Germain, 31, of a Paradise Park address, was not injured in the collision and declined medical attention. The driver of the Nissan pick-up truck, identified as Francisco Albana, 36, and his front-seat passenger, identified as Roseanna Kanoa, 52, both of a Mountain View address, were transported to the Hilo hospital. Albana was treated and release, and Kanoa was flown to the Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu with head, abdominal and leg injuries.
Everyone involved in the accident except Kanoa had been wearing a seatbelt, and airbags were deployed in Aolaolagi’s vehicle.
The accident caused a partial closure of the highway for about three hours.
Traffic Enforcement Unit officers are continuing the investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. High speed has been determined to be a major factor in the accident.
Aolaolagi’s death was the sixth traffic-related fatality so far this year — and the fifth this month — compared to none at the same time last year.
# # #