A man died in a fiery pickup truck crash on Highway 190 in North Kona on Monday night.

A 2001 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck traveling south on the highway near the 16-mile marker ran off the road and overturned just before 11 p.m., police said.

Witnesses said they tried to rescue the driver, but the vehicle burst into flames after the crash.

Firefighters extinguished a small brush fire around the badly damaged vehicle and discovered the victim inside. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death and identity of the victim.

The 3⁄4-acre brush fire was brought under control at 11:30 p.m. and extinguished at 12:40 a.m.

The death was Hawaii County’s 11th traffic fatality this year, compared with seven at the same time last year.

Police seek leads in Ala Wai mugging

Honolulu police are asking for the public’s help in finding a man who knocked out and robbed a pedestrian on Ala Wai Boulevard near Namahana Street on May 12.

According to a CrimeStoppers news release Tuesday, a man was walking about 3:15 a.m. when an unknown man struck him from behind. Police said the robber took the victim’s property after continuing the assault while the victim was unconscious on the ground.

The assailant fled with four teenage-looking males on bicycles, one of which was described by a witness as a red and white low-rider style bike.

Police said the victim suffered multiple injuries to his head and face.

The assailant was Polynesian, in his late teens to early 20s, 6 feet tall, 150 pounds, bald, with a dark tank top and orange/gray checkerboard patterned surf shorts, police said.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.