PUUANAHULU, Hawaii – A fatal, single car crash on occurred on the 16 mile marker of Highway 190 just before 11 p.m. Monday night.
The Hawaii County Fire Department says the situation escalated with a brushfire.
Upon arrival, found a badly damaged vehicle on fire inside of a 3/4 of an acre brush fire on the makai side of the 16mm, Hwy 190. Responding units controlled the brush fire and searched surrounding areas for any victims ejected from the crash. One victim was found inside of the vehicle, after extinguishment.Hawaii County Fire Dept.
Fire officials say witnesses tried to search for the driver, but the vehicle burst into flames. The was a victim – who has yet to be identified – was located only after the fire was put out.
Traffic was detoured to the Queen Kaahumanu Highway.
UPDATE: (11 a.m. Tuesday) Hawaii County Police issued a media release on the incident on Tuesday.
Responding to a 10:56 p.m. call, police determined that a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck was traveling south on Route 190 near the 16-mile marker when it ran off of the road and overturned, catching fire. After the fire was extinguished, the sole occupant and operator of the vehicle was found dead inside the truck.
Police believe speed and alcohol were factors.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death and to determine identification.Hawaii County Police
While I empathize with the family of the person who died, there are all too many incidents (not accidents) caused by drinking and driving. Fortunately no other vehicles were involved and he killed only himself. The Hawaii County Traffic Division has done everything possible to make our highways safe, but some people seem to think that they are above the laws of physics.
Hawaii State has the highest ratio of auto accidents in the US and Hawaii Island is the highest county.
Perhaps if the guard rails were to be removed from the outside of the highway and placed down the centerline instead, it would prevent head on collisions and allow the ones who feel a need to drink and drive to remove themselves from the gene pool without hurting anyone else.