Police have identified a 77-year-old Captain Cook man who died following a single vehicle collision Friday in South Kona as Eugene Theodore Leslie.
According to police, Leslie was driving a black 2013 Mercedes-Benz SUV south on Highway 11 just north of Napoopoo Road in South Kona when he hit a guardrail, crossed the solid yellow double lines, and then struck a rock embankment.
Leslie was taken to the Kona Community Hospital where he was later pronounced dead at 1:51 a.m. Saturday.
Police think speed is a possible factor in the crash and said Leslie wasn’t wearing his seat belt.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
Leslie’s death is the 11th official traffic fatality this year compared to five at the same time last year.
Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Dayson Taniguchi at (808) 326-4646 ext. 229, or dayson.taniguchi@hawaiicounty.gov. Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.