Road Rage update 07-17-06

HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS SECTION, AREA II
ACTING LIEUTENANT LLEWELLYN FUKUI
PHONE: 326-4646, EXT. 304
JULY 17, 2006
REPORT NO. C06021898

`

Vernon Costa
Wanted for questioning

MEDIA RELEASE UPDATE

Police are asking for the public’s help in locating the driver of a pickup truck involved in a fatal car crash early Sunday (July 16, 2006) in West Hawaii. Police have identified the suspected driver as Vernon Costa, 41, believed to reside in Puna.

Kona patrol officers responded to a road rage report at 12:11 a.m. Sunday. The caller indicated the two vehicles involved were traveling north on Highway 190 around the 23-mile marker and heading toward Waimea.

Shortly thereafter, police received a report of two vehicles involved in a traffic accident on Highway 190 near the 16-mile marker in Puuanahulu. On arrival, police found an extensively damaged small vehicle off the shoulder of the roadway and a Dodge pickup truck on the makai shoulder. 

Police located two women who had been ejected from the smaller vehicle. Neither showed any vital signs. Both were transported to >>Kona> >Community> >Hospital>> and pronounced dead at 7:15 a.m. They were identified as Pua Lei Santa-Isabel, 26, and Casey Ann Swain, 35, both of Hilo.

Shortly after arrival at the scene, police learned that a motorist transported a third female to >>North> >Hawaii> >Community> >Hospital. >>>>She was treated for her injuries in the accident and relea>>>>sed.>>

The crash resulted in the closure of Highway 190 from about 12:30 a.m. to 7:15 a.m.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers and Criminal Investigations Section detectives are continuing the investigation. Anyone with information about Costa’s whereabouts is asked to call Detective Mark Haggerty at 326-4646, ext. 277, or the non-emergency telephone number at 935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in >>Hilo>> or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

The double fatality brings this year’s total to 20, compared with 19 at this time last year.

# # #


This entry was posted in Media Releases. Bookmark the permalink. Both comments and trackbacks are currently closed.
  • Keep your community safe through Crime Stoppers

    Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

    The Crime Stoppers TV Program is available on-demand from Nā Leo TV.