HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
SERGEANT CHRISTOPHER D. GALI
PHONE: 961-2332
FEBRUARY 9, 2007

MEDIA RELEASE

A 50-year-old Austrian woman died Thursday (February 8) from injuries she sustained in a one-vehicle crash on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 11) .2 miles west of the 75-mile marker.

Responding to a 3:34 p.m. call, Ka’u patrol officers determined that a 48-year-old Volcano man was operating a 1997 Mitsubishi Montero multi-purpose vehicle and traveling west on Route 11 when he lost control, crossed the ceterline and ran off the left side of the road and overturned. The victim, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle.

Fire Rescue personnel took the victim to Ka’u Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 4:26 p.m.

The driver was not injured.

The name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin.

It is unknown at this time if speed or alcohol were involved.

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

Police ask anyone with any information about the crash to call Officer Marvin Troutman at 326-4646, extension 229.

This is the sixth traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with five at this time last year.

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