11:21am UPDATE….Kohala Mountain Road ACCIDENT
UPDATE: 1:31pm:
A 27-year-old North Kohala man died following a two-vehicle collision on Thursday, (December 20), in Kamuela on Kohala Mountain Road, (Highway 250), near the 4.5-mile marker.
The 27-year-old male has been positively identified as Anson Guitang of Kapaau.
Responding to a 7:33 a.m. call, police determined that a green 2000 Honda Civic 4-door sedan heading south, (Kamuela bound, had crossed double solid yellow lines near a turn and struck a northbound red 2008 Ford F-150 pickup truck head-on. The driver of the Ford pickup truck was being operated by a 70-year-old Kamuela man. Guitang was transported to the North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital where he was later pronounced dead at 8:10 a.m.
The operator and 24-year-old male passenger of the Ford pickup truck were taken to North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital by a private vehicle. Both parties were treated for their injuries and later released.
Police believe speed is a possible factor in the crash.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a Coroner’s Inquest investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the accident to contact Officer Justin Hooser at (808) 326-4646 ext. 229.
This is the 32nd traffic fatality this year compared to 32 at this time last year.
UPDATE 11:21am: ROAD IS NOW OPEN……..Drive with care.
UPDATED: ROAD CLOSED..INVESTIGATION ONGOING
BREAKING NEWS…..Kohala Mountain Road around 4.5 mile marker…head on collision…7:35am….DRIVE WITH CARE,,,EMERGENCY VEHICLES ON THE WAY
