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Papaikou fatality 09-18-06

HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
SERGEANT CHRISTOPHER D. GALI
PHONE: 961-2332
SEPTEMBER 18, 2006
REPORT NO. C06029122

MEDIA RELEASE

A 25-year-old Pepeekeo man died Saturday (September 16, 2006) from injuries he sustained in a one-car crash on the Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) .1 mile north of the 8-mile marker in Papaikou.

The victim was identified as Aaron Alvarez, a rear-seat passenger who was not wearing a seat belt.

Responding to a 6:56 p.m. call, South Hilo patrol officers determined that the driver of the car, a 25-year-old Pepeekeo man, was traveling south on Route 19 in a 1993 Nissan 4-door sedan when he lost control, ran off the right side of the road, struck an embankment and overturned. Alvarez was ejected from the car.

Fire rescue personnel took the driver and front seat passenger, a 20-year-old Hilo man, to Hilo Medical Center. The driver was treated and released. The passenger’s condition was not known.

Police consider speed and alcohol to be factors in the crash.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers arrested the driver for negligent homicide, operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, no operator’s license and no no-fault insurance. After conferring with the Hawaii County prosecutor’s office, police released the driver pending further investigation.

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

Police ask anyone with information about the crash to call Officer Robert Pauole at 961-8119.

This is the 27th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 28 at this time last year.

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