Captain Cook man, 57, dies in single-vehicle crash

A 57-year-old Captain Cook man was killed in a single-vehicle crash Monday evening in South Kona.

The man has been positively identified as William Joseph Rowan, according to the Hawaii Police Department.

Responding to a 8:07 p.m. call, police determined that Rowan was operating a gold 1988 Jeep Cherokee heading south when he ran off of Mamalahoa Highway near mile marker 108 and lost control. He then made a sharp left turn back onto the highway, rolling over several times, which resulted in him being ejected from the vehicle.

Rowan was transported to Kona Community Hospital where he was later pronounced dead at 12:23 a.m. on Tuesday, according to police.

Rowan was not wearing his seatbelt and police believe that speed and impairment are possible factors in the crash.

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

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash should contact Officer Jason Foxworthy at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229, or email at Jason.foxworthy@hawaiicounty.gov. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

This is the 24th traffic fatality this year compared to 14 at this time last year. It is also the second death in less than a week in South Kona. On Saturday, a 22-year-old Captain Cook man died following a two-vehicle crash on north of the intersection of Mamalahoa Highway and Napo‘opo‘o Road in South Kona.