Media Release

A 21-year-old Kailua-Kona man died Sunday (December 19) from injuries he received in a two-vehicle crash on Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway at the 121-mile marker in Kailua-Kona.

The victim was identified as Brian Anthony Margate of a Kailua-Kona address.

Responding to a 7:06 p.m. call, Kona patrol officers determined that a 20-year-old Kailua-Kona woman was operating a 2005 Ford F-350 pickup truck and towing a horse trailer when the vehicle crossed the center line and collided into a 2001 Volkswagen 4-door sedan being operated by Margate.

Fire Department rescue personnel took the driver of the Ford truck and her 20-year-old sister to Kona Community Hospital, where they were treated and released with minor injuries.

The victim was taken Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9:50 p.m.

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

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 this crash to call Officer Larry Flowers at 326-4646, extension 229.

This is the 27^th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 22 at this time last year.