HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
SERGEANT CHRISTOPHER D. GALI
PHONE: 961-2332
JANUARY 26, 2007
REPORT NO. C07000307

MEDIA RELEASE

A 44-year-old Kalapana man died Friday (January 26) from injuries he sustained in a one-vehicle crash on January 2 in Leilani Estates.

The victim was identified as David B. McDaniel of Kalapana.

Responding to a 6:57 p.m. call on January 2, 2007, Puna patrol officers determined that a 45-year-old Pahoa woman was operating a 1987 Subaru 4-door station wagon and traveling east on Leilani Avenue when the right front tire became loose. The driver then lost control and ran off the road into a ditch.

The victim, who was in the back seat, and a front-seat passenger, a 55-year-old Pahoa man, were both transported to Hilo Medical Center by Fire Rescue personnel.

The Kalapana man was flown to the Queens Medical Center in Honolulu in critical condition and died Friday at 12:32 p.m.

It is unknown at this time if speed or alcohol were factors in the crash or if seatbelts were used.

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

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

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