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Puna fatality 08-17-06

HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
SERGEANT CHRISTOPHER D. GALI
PHONE: 961-2332
AUGUST 17, 2006
REPORT NO. C06025681

MEDIA RELEASE

A 25-year-old Hawaiian Beaches man died Wednesday (August 16, 2006) from injuries he sustained in a motor vehicle/motorcycle crash at the intersection of Kahakai Boulevard and Niuhi Street in Hawaiian Beaches.

The victim was identified as Joseph K. Ferreira Jr. of Hawaiian Beaches.

Responding to a 9:41 p.m. call, Puna patrol officers determined that a 63-year-old Hawaiian Beaches man driving a 1997 Toyota multi-purpose vehicle failed to yield the right of way and made a left turn from Kahakai Boulevard onto Niuhi Street. The Toyota collided with the victim, who was operating a miniature motorcycle heading west on Kahakai Boulevard.

The victim was not wearing a helmet. He was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he was officially pronounced dead at 1:10 a.m. Thursday.

It is unknown if alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash but police believe speed may have been a factor.

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

This is the 23rd traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 21 at this time last year.

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