Waikōloa man dies after crashing into rock wall at Manukā State Park

A Waikōloa man is dead after being ejected from his vehicle following a single-vehicle crash in Ka‘ū.

Hawai‘i police responded to the crash Sunday at 8:08 p.m. on Highway 11 fronting the entrance of Manukā State Recreational Park. When they arrived on scene, they found a black 2008 Mercedes Benz 280 convertible crashed into the rock wall sign at the park.

Through the course of their investigation, police determined the 30-year-old driver was heading north on Highway 11 at a high rate of speed when he struck the rockwall causing him to be ejected from the car.

The driver was transported to the Kona Community Hospital and was pronounced dead this morning at 1:18 a.m. A 25-year-old Kailua-Kona man, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was also taken to the Kona Community Hospital for treatment, where he is currently listed in stable condition.

Police believe that speed and impairment are factors in the crash. The driver was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash. He has not been positively identified at this time.

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

The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and is asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Adam Roberg at 808-326-4646, ext. 229, or email at adam.roberg@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.

This is the 11th traffic fatality this year compared to 25 at this time last year.