A 57-year-old Captain Cook man died following a single-vehicle collision Monday night on Mamalahoa Highway, 0.2 miles south of the 108-mile marker in South Kona.
The man has been positively identified as William Joseph Rowan.
Officers responding to a 8:07 p.m. call determined that Rowan was driving south in a gold 1988 Jeep Cherokee when he ran off of the roadway and lost control. He then 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 Kona Community Hospital where he pronounced dead at 12:23 a.m. on Tuesday.
Rowan was not wearing his seatbelt 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.
Police initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and are asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Jason Foxworthy at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229 or jason.foxworthy@hawaiicounty.gov. Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
Rowan’s death is the second traffic fatality in a three-day period of a Captain Cook man on Mamalahoa Highway in South Kona.
Kevin Kanoa‘imipono Gladden, 22, died following a two-vehicle crash Saturday north of the intersection of Mamalahoa Highway and Napoopoo Road.
This is the 24th official traffic fatality this year compared to 14 at this time last year.