HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
SERGEANT SAMUEL V. JELSMA
PHONE: 961-2332
JANUARY 11, 2000
MEDIA RELEASE
A 49-year-old Hilo man died Monday night (January 10, 2000) after his vehicle struck a rock wall off Kalanianaole Street near Kolea Street in Hilo.
The victim was identified as George Keanu III of a Keaukaha area address in Hilo.
Responding to an 8:06 p.m. accident call, Hilo police officers determined that the victim was driving his 1980 Subaru station wagon toward King’s Landing on Kalanianaole when he crossed the centerline and struck a stone wall on the makai side of the roadway.
The victim was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 8:56 p.m.
A front seat passenger, Rudy Tabiolo, 23, of Hilo, was confined at the hospital in serious condition.
Both victim and passenger were not wearing seatbelts, and alcohol and speed are believed to have contributed to the accident.
Traffic Enforcement Unit officers are continuing the investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Keanu’s death was second traffic fatality of the year, compared to none at the same time last year.
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