KAILUA-KONA — Authorities identified a man killed Thursday morning in a two-car crash on Kohala Mountain Road in Waimea as 27-year-old Anson Guitang of Kapaau.
The collision was reported to emergency responders at 7:34 a.m. Hawaii Police Department Maj. Robert Wagner said the crash occurred near mile marker 6 around a curve in the roadway, also known as Highway 250.
According to police, Guitang was traveling toward Waimea in a green 2000 Honda Civic when he crossed the double solid lines and collided with a 70-year-old Waimea man traveling north in a red 2008 Ford F-150 pickup.
Guitang was transported to North Hawaii Community Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead at 8:10 a.m.
The pickup driver and his passenger, a 24-year-old man, were taken the hospital by private vehicle. Both were treated for their injuries and later released.
Police think speed is a possible factor in the crash. An autopsy was ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit initiated a coroner’s inquest and is asking for anyone who might have witnessed the crash to contact Officer Justin Hooser at 326-4646, ext. 229.
This is the 32nd official traffic fatality on the Big Island this year, the same as at this time last year.
The crash shut down the roadway between mile marker 6 and Hawaii Preparatory Academy campus for about three hours.
Email Tiffany DeMasters at tdemasters@westhawaiitoday.com.