A 20-year-old Kona man died early this morning in a single-car crash in Kailua-Kona.

Big Island police identified the man as Chayson K.E. Matsuoka.

Matsuoka was driving a 1999 two-door Toyota sedan when it ran off the road and tumbled 150 feet down an embankment, police said.

The accident occurred 12:48 a.m. on Palani Road 0.02 miles west of Konalani Street.

Matsuoka, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the car. Fire rescue personnel transported him to the Kona Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 3:05 a.m..

His passenger, a 35-year-old woman, was also taken to the hospital where she was treated and released.  

Police believe speed and alcohol were involved in the crash.

This was the 19th fatality this year compared with the 13 the same time last year.