A 51-year-old Waikoloa man died following a two-vehicle collision Friday evening in Kailua-Kona.
KAILUA-KONA — A 51-year-old Waikoloa man died following a two-vehicle collision Friday evening in Kailua-Kona.
The Hawaii Police Department on Monday identified him as Raymond Mata Jr.
Responding to a 9:55 p.m. Friday call, police determined that a brown 2015 Toyota pickup truck being operated by a 38-year-old Keauhou woman was traveling southbound on Alii Drive when her pickup truck was rear-ended by a tan 1999 Toyota pickup truck being operated by Mata, who was also traveling southbound on Alii Drive, according to police.
The pickup truck being operated by Mata then struck head-on with a utility pole and stone wall, according to police. Mata was unresponsive on the scene and was later transported to Kona Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 1:21 a.m. Saturday.
Police believe that inattention and speed were factors in this collision, but it is not immediately known if alcohol was 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 Justin Hooser at 326-4646 ext. 229.
This is the 24th traffic fatality this year compared with 26 at this time last year.
This almost sounds like the guy died at the wheel before rear-ending the other vehicle… either way, R.I.P.