UPDATE: Saddle Road Crash Victim Identified

UPDATE: Oct. 17, 2017

Police have identified the man who died from injuries sustained in the two-vehicle crash Saturday, Oct. 14, on the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road), near the 38-mile marker in the Hāmākua District.

He was identified as 49-year-old Napoleon Higuera of Hilo.

This is the 27th traffic fatality this year compared with 23 at this time last year.

Police are also asking anyone who witnessed the crash to call Officer Casey Cabral at (808) 961-2329 or email Casey.Cabral@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

ORIGINAL POST: Oct. 16, 2017

A 49-year old Hilo man died following a two-vehicle crash Saturday morning, Oct. 14, 2017, in the Hāmākua District.

His name is being withheld pending positive identification and notification of his family.

Responding to a 7:21 a.m. call, police determined that a 2001 Dodge Caravan was traveling westbound on the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road), near the 38-mile marker when he was overtaking vehicles and struck a 2015 Honda Fit that was traveling eastbound.

The man who died was taken to the North Hawai‘i Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 8:42 a.m.

The driver of the Honda, a 36-year old woman of Mountain View, was also transported to the North Hawai‘i Community Hospital for her injuries and was listed in critical condition.

Police believe that speed was a factor and the man was not wearing a seatbelt.

The woman was wearing a seatbelt.

Police do not believe that drugs or alcohol were factors in this crash.

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

Police ask anyone who witnessed the crash to call Officer Casey Cabral at (808) 961-2329. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

This is the 27th traffic fatality this year compared with 23 at this time last year.