Hawaii Police Department
Traffic Enforcement Unit
Sergeant Christopher D. Gali
Phone: 961-2332
June 28, 2008
Report No. C08019975

Media Release

A 20-year-old Pahoa man died Saturday (June 28) from injuries he sustained in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Kahakai Boulevard and Opelu Street in Hawaiian Beaches.

The victim was identified as Jonathan W. Tripp-Andrade of a Pahoa address.

Responding to a 6:31 p.m. call, Puna patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 1989 Honda 2-door sedan and traveling in a northeasterly direction on Kahakai Boulevard when he collided with a 2008 Chrysler multi-purpose vehicle making a left turn from Kahakai Boulevard onto Opelu Street.

The driver of the Chrysler, a 54-year-old California woman, and her passengers, a 72-year-old woman and two boys, ages 15 and 13 were not injured.

Tripp-Andrade was transported to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 10:45 p.m.

Police do not believe that alcohol was involved but believe speeding was a contributing factor in the crash.

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

Police ask anyone with information about this crash to call Officer Clarence Davies at 961-8118.

This is the 13th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 16 at the same time last year.