HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
SERGEANT CHRISTOPHER D. GALI
PHONE: 961-2332
MARCH 28, 2006

MEDIA RELEASE

A 28-year-old North Kohala man died Tuesday (March 28, 2006) from injuries he sustained in a one-vehicle crash on Waikoloa Road at the 5 Mile-Marker in Waikoloa.

The victim was identified as Eddie Boy Durante of a Kapaau address.

Responding to a 2:16 a.m. call, South Kohala patrol officers determined that the driver was operating a 2003 Toyota four-door sedan and traveling west on Waikoloa Road when he lost control, ran off the right side of the road and struck a bridge railing. The driver was then ejected from the vehicle.

The victim was transported to the Kona Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 5:30 a.m.

Speed and alcohol are believed to be factors in this crash and the driver was not wearing a seatbelt.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a coroner’s inquest case and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to call Officer Sharlotte Bird of the Traffic Enforcement Unit at 326-3636, extension 229.

This is the 12th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year, compared to eleven at the same time last year.

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