Hawai‘i Island police are investigating the traffic death of an unidentified male following a traffic collision on Monday, December 20, 2021, at 1:57 a.m., in Kea‘au at the intersection of Highway 11 and Kipimana Street, which caused Highway 11 to be shut down for several hours.

Police determined that a 2004 Chevy Malibu traveling south on Highway 11 ran the red light at the Kipimana Street intersection and struck a 2012 Dodge Ram traveling west crossing Kipimana. Due to the high rate of speed, the Chevy Malibu continued to travel more than 450 feet from the scene of the collision and rolled over several times before coming to rest on the highway shoulder.

The unidentified male driver of the Chevy Malibu, who did not appear to have been wearing a seatbelt, was unresponsive at the scene. He was later transported to Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 4:46 a.m. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

The front-seat passenger of the Chevy Malibu, a 27-year-old female, who was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision, was transported to Hilo Medical Center for minor injuries.

The operator of the Dodge Ram, a 24-year-old male, reported no injuries at this time, however his vehicle sustained major front-end damage.

Police investigating the incident believe that speed and not wearing a seatbelt are contributing causes to the driver’s death.

In addition to the autopsy results, police are awaiting alcohol and drug testing results to determine other causes of the crash.

This is the 26th fatal traffic collision of 2021 compared to 15 fatal traffic collisions during this same time period last year.

The East Hawaii Traffic Enforcement Unit is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the accident or has information on the incident to contact Officer Jerome Duarte at (808) 961-2339 or via email Jerome.Duarte@HawaiiCounty.gov.