Hawaii Island police are investigating a single-vehicle traffic crash in Puna that resulted in the death of a Kailua-Kona man.
Responding to the 3:27 p.m. Thursday, police investigators determined that a 2008 Honda Civic sedan left a nearby driveway and proceeded on Kahakai Boulevard. The Honda Civic then crossed to the north side of the roadway and struck a mailbox and chain-link fence of a residence before coming to a stop. At the time of the crash, the roadway was wet and it had been raining off and on.
The operator of the sedan, 31-year-old Ashton Martines, of Kailua-Kona, was unresponsive at the scene and transported to Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 4:51 p.m. An autopsy has been requested to determine the exact cause of death.
The front seat passenger of the sedan, a 30 year-old man, did not suffer any injuries.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact Officer Blayne Matsui at (808) 961-2339 or via email Blayne.Matsui@HawaiiCounty.gov. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
This is the 14th traffic facility on Big Island public roads this year. By this time in 2021, eight people had died.