A Captain Cook man was fatally injured Friday night in a single-vehicle crash in South Kona, police said today.
Hawaii County police said the man has been identified as Eugene Theodore Leslie.
Leslie’s family said he was 80.
Police responded to the incident at 10:33 p.m. Friday, after Leslie’s black 2013 Mercedes-Benz SUV struck a guardrail, crossed over double solid yellow lines, and struck a rock embankment while heading south on Highway 11.
Leslie was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:51 a.m. today.
Police said speed is a possible factor in the crash, and the driver was not wearing a seat belt.
An autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.
The traffic enforcement unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation.
This is Hawaii island’s 11th traffic death this year, compared with five at the same time last year.
Anyone who may have witnessed the collision is asked to contact Officer Dayson Taniguchi at 808-326-4646, ext. 229, or email at dayson.taniguchi@hawaiicounty.gov. Anonymous tipsters may call CrimeStoppers at 808-961-8300.
Correction: Eugene Theodore Leslie was 80. An earlier version of this story said he was 77, as was reported by Hawaii island police.
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