Police ID man killed in Tuesday traffic crash

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Police identified a 34-year-old man who was killed Tuesday morning when his pickup truck crossed the centerline on Highway 19 between Honokaa and Waimea and colilided head-on with a school bus as 34-year-old Valentine Gines Jr. of Paauilo.

The driver, and sole occupant, of the school bus, a 52-year-old man, was taken to North Hawai‘i Community Hospital and treated for his injuries.

Police investigating the traffic collision believe inattention to driving to be a primary factor in this traffic collision. Police are, as yet, unable to determine if alcohol and/or drugs were factors in the crash.

Gines’ death is the 14th official traffic fatality compared to 12 traffic deaths at the same time last year.