February 16, 2008 – Puna Traffic Fatality
Daniel T. Ekau, 35, of Pahoa, died Saturday of injuries he sustained in a one-vehicle crash on Route 130 near mile marker 16.
The driver of the 1988 Honda two-door sedan was traveling north on route 130 when he lost control, crossed the center-line and struck an embankment. The driver and two passengers were ejected from the vehicle. The victim, who was the front-seat passenger, was wearing his seatbelt. He was pronounced dead at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Hilo Medical Center. The driver and rear-seat passenger, a 19-year-old Pahoa man, were transported to Hilo Medical Center and later flown to Queen’s Medical Center in critical condition.
Police said that speed and alcohol were factors in the crash. Officers arrested the driver, 41-year-old Kenneth C. Gramble, Jr. of Pahoa, for negligent homicide, negligent injury, operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, and promoting intoxicating liquor to to a person under the age of 21. He was released pending further investigation.
This sixth traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared to six at the same time last year.
From HCPD Report No. 08004944 http://www.hawaiipolice.com/archives/Archive2008/feb08/puna_fatality_02-16-08.html
It doesn’t make sense! He was wearing a seatbelt!
Kaumaha
July 14, 2008 at 10:24 pm