KAILUA-KONA— A Holualoa man is dead after a single-vehicle accident at 6:37 a.m. Monday in Kailua-Kona.
Christopher Allen, 54, was driving a 2004 Toyota pickup truck north on Queen Kaahumanu Highway near Kealakehe Parkway when he ran off the mauka side of the roadway, hit a utility pole and overturned in a lava field. Part of the right turn lane was closed until almost noon as investigation proceeded.
He was transported to the Kona Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 10:48 a.m. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
Police believe speed and inattention were factors in this crash, but it was not immediately known if alcohol was a factor.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and is asking for anyone who witnessed the crash to call Officer Christopher Kapua-Allison at 326-4646, ext. 229. People who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
This is the 10th traffic fatality this year on public roads, compared with seven at this time last year.