Man Involved in Puna Vehicle Fatality Identified

A Washington man who died Saturday night after being involved in a traffic collision along Kalapana-Kapoho Road, a tenth of a mile south of the 17 mile marker, has been identified.

The Hawai’i Police Department reports that the identity of the 62-year-old man was Richard Frank Rice of Mill Creek, Wash..

According to HPD, an autopsy was conducted on Wednesday, but toxicology results are pending the final determination of cause of death.

On Saturday evening, officer responded to an 8:38 p.m. call that led them to the roadway, where they found Rice’s vehicle in the middle of the roadway with the driver inside deceased.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who saw a silver 2015 Hyundai Elantra four-door sedan between 7:45 p.m. and 8:38 p.m. should call Officer Clarence Acob at 961-2332.