Traffic Fatality UPDATE: Soldier Identified in North Kona Crash

UPDATE:

KITV has reported that Schofield Barracks officials have identified the soldier who was killed in a training incident that occurred at the intersection of the Daniel Inouye Highway (Route 200) and Māmalahoa Highway (Route 190), on Sunday, May 14, in Puʻuanahulu, North Kona.

The soldier was identified as Sgt. Terrence Hinton of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team in the 25th Infantry Division.

Sgt. Hinton died in a single-vehicle crash. According to police reports, the operator lost control of the vehicle and then attempted to negotiate a left turn onto Route 190 when the tractor trailer then struck the southbound lane guardrail and overturned into a culvert.

Hinton, 36, is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan served as a motor transport operator. He enlisted in the Army in 2009 and moved to Hawaiʻi in 2016.

“We offer our deepest condolences to Sgt. Hinton’s family and friends and will keep them in our thoughts and prayers,” said Maj. Gen. Christopher Cavoli, Commander of the 25th Infantry Division. “It is a tragedy and a sad day when we lose one of our Soldiers.”

Another soldier, Pfc. Marcus Smith, was injured in the crash and taken to North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital. He was treated for minor injuries and released.

The crash is still under investigation.

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A 36-year-old Oʻahu man died following a single vehicle collision that occurred at the intersection of the Daniel Inouye Highway (Route 200) and Māmalahoa Highway (Route 190), on Sunday, May 14, in Puʻuanahulu, North Kona.

The incident was reported at 7:28 a.m., police determined that a military tractor trailer transport vehicle operated by a 20-year-old Oʻahu man had been towing heavy machinery on a trailer and had been traveling westbound on Daniel Inouye Highway.

According to police reports, the operator lost control of the vehicle and then attempted to negotiate a left turn onto Route 190 when the tractor trailer then struck the southbound lane guardrail and overturned into a culvert.

Police say the front seat passenger within the tractor trailer was taken to the Kona Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 12:35 p.m. on Sunday, May 14.

The operator was taken to the North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital for treatment of his injuries.

An autopsy has been order to determine the exact cause of death.

The name of the male party is being withheld pending notification of his family.

The Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a Negligent Homicide investigation and is asking for anyone who witnessed the crash to call Officer Christopher Kapua-Allison at 326-4646, ext. 229.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo.

This is the 11th traffic related fatality this year compared with 10 at this time last year.