WAIMEA, Hawaii – The Hawaii County Police Department have issued the following media release concerning a fatal car crash that took place in Waimea.

An 18-year-old Waimea man died Wednesday (July 13) from injuries he sustained in a one-vehicle crash on Saturday (July 9) on Māmalahoa Highway (Route 19) .1 mile east of the 55-mile marker in Waimea.

The victim was identified as Grayson E. K. W. Andaya of a Kamuela address.

Responding to a 4:32 a.m. call, South Kohala patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 2002 Toyota four-door sedan and traveling east on Māmalahoa Highway when he ran off the right side of the road and struck a utility pole and wire fence.

Fire Rescue personnel extricated the victim and took him to North Hawai’i Community Hospital. He was later flown to The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu in critical condition.

The victim was wearing a seat belt.

It is unknown at this time if speed was involved but police believe that alcohol was a factor in this crash.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a coroner’s inquest case and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

This is the 12th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 18 at the same time last year.