MEDIA RELEASE

A 69-year-old man died Wednesday (May 14) from injuries he sustained in a two-vehicle crash on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 11) in the area of the 13-mile-marker in Mountain View.

Responding to a 1:45 p.m. call, Puna patrol officers determined that a 23-year-old Keaʻau man was operating a 1995 Ford pickup truck and traveling south on the highway when he crossed the centerline and collided with a 2002 Ford four-door sedan traveling north being operated by the 69-year-old man.

A 64-year-old Mountain View woman who was a passenger in the Ford sedan was also transported to the Hilo Medical Center and confined in stable condition.

The driver of the Ford truck was also admitted in stable condition.

Passengers in the Ford truck, all males, ages 19, 20, 21 and 22, were all treated and released with minor injuries.

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

The 69-year-old man was pronounced dead at 3:01 p.m. at Hilo Medical Center.

His name is being withheld pending positive identification and notification of the next of kin.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide, two negligent injuries, no operator’s license and no motor vehicle insurance against the Ford truck driver.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

Anyone with information about this crash is asked to call Officer Keith Nacis at 961-8119.

This is the 6th traffic fatality on Hawaiʻi Island this year compared with 13 at this time last year.

UPDATE

Hawaiʻi Island police have identified the man who died Wednesday (May 14) from injuries he sustained in a two-vehicle crash on Hawaiʻi Belt Road (Route 11) in the area of the 13-mile-marker in Mountain View.

He was identified as 69-year-old Hubert F. Silva of Pearl City, Oahu.