A 77-year-old Captain Cook man died following a single vehicle collision on Friday, March 25, 2022, on Highway 11, north of the intersection of Mamalahoa Highway and Napo‘opo‘o Road in South Kona. The man has been positively identified as Eugene Theodore Leslie.

Responding to a 10:33 p.m. call, police determined that a black 2013 Mercedes-Benz SUV was heading south when it struck the guardrail, crossed over the double solid yellow lines, and then struck a rock embankment. Leslie was transported to the Kona Community Hospital where he was later pronounced dead at 1:51 a.m. on March 26.

Police believe that speed is a possible factor in the crash. The vehicle driver was not wearing his seatbelt.

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 Dayson Taniguchi at (808) 326-4646 ext. 229, or email at dayson.taniguchi@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300. 

This is the 11th traffic fatality this year compared to five at this time last year.