- Hawaii Police Department - https://www.hawaiipolice.com -

Puna fatality 02-10-06

HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
SERGEANT CHRISTOPHER D. GALI
PHONE: 961-2332
February 10, 2006

MEDIA RELEASE

A 41-year-old Volcano man died Thursday (February 9, 2006) from injuries he sustained in a motor vehicle/motorcycle crash at the intersection of Hawaii Belt road (Route 11) and Lehuanani Road in the Glenwood area of the Puna District.

The victim was identified as Jack M. Napeahi, Jr. of a Volcano address.

Responding to a 9:06 p.m. call, Puna patrol officers determined that a 46-year-old Hawaii Volcanoes National Park woman was operating a 2003 Honda 2-door sedan and traveling north on Route 11 when she initiated a left turn onto Lehuanani Road failing to yield the right of way to a Suzuki motorcycle traveling south on Route 11.

The operator of the motorcycle, who was not wearing a helmet, was transported to the Hilo Medical Center by Fire Rescue personnel where he died at 10:00 p.m.

The driver of the Honda was arrested for suspicion of Driving Under the Influence of an Intoxicant, Negligent Homicide and Failing to Yield the Right of Way. After conferring with the Hawaii County Prosecutor’s Office, the woman was released pending investigation, pending toxicology results and further investigation.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

This is the 6th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year, compared to six at the same time last year.

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