A 34-year-old Kailua-Kona man died following a single-vehicle collision on Saturday on Alii Drive, 0.1 miles south of Lunapule Road in Kona, according to police. The 34-year-old male has been positively identified as Robert Jibas.
Responding to a 1:54 a.m. call, police determined that a white 2007 BMW X3 SUV heading south had struck a metal guardrail on the mauka side of the roadway, according to reports.
The vehicle then struck a metal trench shoring and a concrete construction barrier.
The driver was transported to the Kona Community Hospital where he was later pronounced dead at 6:15 a.m.
Police are investigating the exact cause of the crash. An autopsy has been ordered.
The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a Coroner’s Inquest investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the accident to contact Officer Kimo Keliipaakaua at 326-4646, ext. 229.
This is the seventh traffic fatality this year compared to three at this time last year.