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Ka’u fatal (update) 09-11-06

HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
SERGEANT CHRISTOPHER D. GALI
PHONE: 961-2332
SEPTEMBER 12, 2006
C06028452

MEDIA RELEASE

Police traffic investigators have identified a A 68-year-old Hawaiian Ocean View Estates man who died Sunday (September 10, 2006) from injuries he sustained in a one-vehicle crash the previous day on the Hawaii Belt Road (Route 11) .1 mile south of the 54-mile marker in Ka’u.

The victim was indentified as Martin Knowlton of Hawaiian Ocean View Estates.

Responding to an 11:25 a.m. call on Saturday (September 9, 2006), Ka’u patrol officers determined that a 1979 Chevrolet pickup truck operated by a 64-year-old Hawaiian Ocean View Estates man was traveling south on Route 11 when it ran off the right side of the road, struck a culvert and overturned. The passenger, Knowlton, was partially ejected from the truck.

Fire rescue personnel took both the driver and Knowlton to Ka’u Hospital. The driver was treated and released. Knowlton was later transferred to Kona Community Hospital. He died at the hospital at 3:46 a.m. Sunday.

Speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors in the crash. The truck apparently had no seat belts. Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Police ask anyone with information about the crash to call Officer Sharlotte Bird at 326-4646, extension 229.

This is the 27th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 28 at this time last year.

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