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Saturday, July 7, 2007 at 05:00 PM

Hawaii Police Department
Traffic Enforcement Unit
Sergeant Christopher D. Gali
Phone:  961-2332
July 7, 2007
Report No. C07021609

Media Release

An 84-year-old Hamakua man died Saturday (July 7) from injuries he sustained in a two-vehicle crash on the Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) in the area of the 41-mile post.

The victim was identified as William L. Ferreira of Kalopa.

Responding to an 8:39 a.m. call, Hamakua patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 1996 Honda two-door sedan and was on the shoulder of the highway facing in the Hilo direction when he made a U-turn to travel back in the Waimea direction.  The vehicle was then struck by a 1994 Chevrolet pick-up truck traveling east on the highway.

The victim was transported to the North Hawaii Community Hospital by fire rescue personnel where he died at 12:43 p.m.   The driver of the pick-up truck, a 44-year-old Kamuela man was not injured.  Both drivers were wearing their seatbelts.

Police do not believe that speed or alcohol contributed to this crash. 

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 17th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared to 18 at this time last year.