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19-year-old dies in Kona traffic crash 11-15-04

HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
OFFICE ERIC CEREZO
PHONE: 961-2332
NOVEMBER 11, 2004
I-11989/KN
CORONER’S INQUEST

MEDIA RELEASE

A Kailua-Kona youth was killed Wednesday (November 10, 2004) in a one-car crash on Queen Kaahumanu Highway (Route 19) about 160 feet north of the 79-mile marker in Kiholo, North Kona.

Responding to a 1:37 p.m. call, Kona patrol officers determined that the victim, identified as Joshua Leau, 19, was traveling south in a 1991 Acura two-door sedan when he reportedly ran off the roadway while trying to pass a semi-trailer truck on the southbound shoulder. Leau was ejected from his car.

He was taken to the North Hawaii Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:52 p.m.

Speed is believed to have been a factor in the crash, and police determined the victim was not wearing his seat belt. Police have not determined if alcohol was a factor in the crash and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Anyone with information about the traffic crash is asked to call Officer Eric Cerezo of the Traffic Enforcement Unit at 961-2332.

Wednesday’s death was the 37th traffic fatality on the Big Island so far this year, compared to 31 for the same period last year.

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