Ka`u Man Dies Following One-Car Crash

A Hawaiian Ocean View Estates man died Sunday of injuries sustained in a crash  in Ka`u two days earlier.

Police believe alcohol and speed may be factors in the death of 20-year-old Austin L. Yurong.

Officers responding to an 11:10 p.m. call Friday determined that Yurong had been traveling south on Highway 11 when he lost control of his 1986 Toyota pickup truck.

His vehicle veered off the right shoulder and collided with a lava embankment, then swerved back into the southbound lane. The truck then veered back into the embankment before rolling twice and coming to rest on its wheels in the center of the highway.

Police said Yurong was ejected from the vehicle and found lying unconscious on the south shoulder.

He was taken to Kona Community Hospital and later transported to The Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu, where he was pronounced dead at 12:39 p.m. Sunday.

The highway was closed for nearly two hours late Friday while police investigated the crash, which occurred between the 80- and 81-mile makers as the vehicle was approaching the intersection with Ginger Blossom Lane.

An autopsy will be done to determine the exact cause of death.

The fatality was the eighth this year on Big Island roadways, compared to 17 at this point in 2013.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to contact Officer Larry Flowers at 326-4646, ext. 229.