A 27-year-old Laupahoehoe man died Saturday from injuries he sustained in a two-vehicle collision on Route 19, known also as Hawaii Belt Road, in the area of the 9-mile-marker.
A 27-year-old Laupahoehoe man died Saturday from injuries he sustained in a two-vehicle collision on Route 19, known also as Hawaii Belt Road, in the area of the 9-mile-marker.
The man was identified as Daven Dolan of Laupahoehoe.
Responding to a 4:11 a.m. call, South Hilo patrol officers determined that Dolan was operating a 2006 Lexus sedan and traveling north on Route 19 when he crossed the centerline and collided with a 2008 GMC Master delivery truck traveling south.
The driver of the GMC truck, a 37-year-old man from Hilo, was transported to the Hilo Medical Center by Fire Rescue personnel and later flown to The Queen’s Medical Center for further treatment.
Dolan was also transported to the Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 6:40 a.m.
Police believe that alcohol may be a contributing factor in the crash.
Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide case and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to call Officer Casey Cabral at 961-8889.
This is the 15th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared to eight at the same time last year.