Photo Credit: Regie Vasquez
A 57-year-old Captain Cook man died following a single vehicle collision on Monday, Nov. 15, 2021, on Mamalahoa Highway, .2 miles south of the 108 mile marker in South Kona.
The man has been positively identified as William Joseph Rowan.
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 the roadway 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 the Kona Community Hospital where he was later pronounced dead at 12:23 a.m. on Nov. 16.
Rowan was not wearing his seat belt 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.
The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Jason Foxworthy at (808) 326-4646 Ext. 229 or email at Jason.foxworthy@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters 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.