Big Island police on Wednesday identified the man killed in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday morning near Honokaa.
Big Island police on Wednesday identified the man killed in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday morning near Honokaa.
The Hawaii Police Department identified the victim as 34-year-old Valentine Gines Jr., of Pa‘auilo.
Officers responding to 4:53 a.m. crash, determined that a white-colored Nissan pick-up truck had been travelling south, in the Honokaa bound lane, when it crossed the center line and struck a school bus head-on that was traveling north in the Waimea bound lane, according to police.
Gines, who was the driver and sole occupant of the Nissan truck, was unresponsive at the scene and transported to Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 9:43 a.m. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
The driver, and sole occupant, of the school bus was transported to North Hawaii Community Hospital and treated for his injuries.
Police investigating the traffic collision believe inattention to be a primary factor in this traffic collision. Police are unable to determine if alcohol and/or drugs are factors in this investigation at this time.
The death was the 14th traffic fataility on the the Big Island this year, compared to 12 at the time in 2020.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has information, should contact Officer Clifford Antonio at (808) 961-2329 or email Clifford.Antonio@hawaiicounty.gov. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
