Hawaii Island police on Thursday morning identified the 52-year-old Kailua-Kona man killed in a two-car crash Wednesday morning on Queen Kaahumanu Highway in South Kohala. ADVERTISING Hawaii Island police on Thursday morning identified the 52-year-old Kailua-Kona man killed in a
Hawaii Island police on Thursday morning identified the 52-year-old Kailua-Kona man killed in a two-car crash Wednesday morning on Queen Kaahumanu Highway in South Kohala.
The victim was identified as Matthew B. Lee, according to the Hawaii County Police Department.
Lee was operating a southbound red 1997 Ford F-250 pickup truck loaded with several empty propane and gas tanks when he apparently crossed the centerline, clipped a silver 2013 Dodge Dart four-door sedan before striking an embankment on the mauka side of the highway around 11:30 a.m., according to police.
Lee was transported to North Hawaii Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival, according to police.
A 62-year-old man from Alberta, Canada, who was driving the sedan was uninjured. Three adult passengers in the sedan also were not injured, according to police and the Hawaii County Fire Department.
Queen Kaahumanu Highway was closed for several hours while police investigated the crash. Police do not believe that alcohol or speed contributed to the crash.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash should call Officer Christopher Kapua-Allison at 326-4646, ext. 229.
This is the fourth traffic fatality this year compared with seven at this time in 2013.
