UPDATE: Police Identify Driver in Fatal Fuel Truck Crash
***Updated at 9:03 a.m. Monday, Nov. 18.***
Police have identified the driver involved in Friday’s fatal crash of a fuel tanker truck as Amos K. Agliam, 41, of Hilo.
Agliam was driving a 2003 Kenworth tractor down the Kawaihae Road at about 2:04 p.m. when he moved over onto the paved right shoulder and eventually collided with a large mound of dirt and debris near the 64-mile marker.
Witnesses have told police that the vehicle’s brakes appeared to be smoking.
During the crash, the trailer containing 8,402 gallons of diesel fuel broke loose, crushing the cab and rolling onto its right side.
A puncture in the tanker spilled between 1,500 and 2,000 gallons of fuel.
Agliam died at the scene. An autopsy has been ordered.
Police said neither speed nor alcohol was believed to be factors in the crash.
The roadway was closed for more than six hours while an investigation and clean-up were conducted.
Anyone who may have witnesses the incident is asked to call Officer Thomas Koyanagi at 326-4646, ext. 229.
This was the 24th fatality on Big Island public roadways in 2013, compared to 36 at this time last year.
Posted at 3:14 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15:
A fuel truck overturned this afternoon at the 64-mile marker on Kawaihae Road, forcing the closure of both lanes of the highway.
South Kohala police Capt. Randall Medeiros said the cause of the overturning was not yet known. He said the large tanker truck was believed to be carrying diesel.
Medeiros said the driver was initially pinned in the truck’s cab, but he had not received any information about possible injuries.
He said the tanker was reported to be leaking, but the size of the leak or the amount of fuel that had escaped was not immediately available.
Medeiros said the Hawaii Fire Department and its hazardous materials response team had been called to the scene.
The incident occurred at about 2 p.m. about three miles east of Kawaihae.
Police said it is not known how long the road would be closed. Motorists were being advised to seek alternate routes, including Waikoloa Road or Kohala Mountain Road, until further notice.
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