Two-Vehicle South Kona Crash Results in Fatality

A 61-year-old Nevada man died following a two-vehicle crash Monday, July 16, 2018, in South Kona near the 88-mile marker of Hawaiʻi Belt Road, Highway 11.

He has been identified as Mark Brown.

Responding to a 7:19 p.m. call, police determined that a black 2009 Cadillac sedan had been traveling North when it rear-ended a Harley Davidson motorcycle also traveling North.

Following the collision, the sedan and its operator fled from the scene prior to police arrival.

The sedan was located abandoned approximately .5 miles north of the collision at the intersection of Hawaiʻi Belt Road and Lani Kona Road.

Information was received that a single female was observed walking away from the sedan and was last seen walking barefoot East on Lani Kona Road.

The collision caused Brown to sustain critical injuries and he was later pronounced dead at the Kona Community Hospital at 11:23 p.m.

Police believe inattention was a factor in this crash, but it is not immediately known if alcohol and/or drugs were a factor.

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 Kimo Keliipaakaua at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229.

This is the 19th traffic fatality this year compared with 20 at this time last year.