Captain Cook man, 22, dies in head-on collision on Big Island’s Highway 11
DARYL LEE / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER / 2015
Hawaii island police said a 22-year-old Captain Cook man died following a two-vehicle collision this morning on Highway 11.
A 22-year-old Captain Cook man died following a two-vehicle collision this morning on Highway 11, Hawaii island police said.
The victim was identified as Kevin Kanoa’imipono Gladden.
Emergency responders were called to the scene at a 5:55 a.m. Police said Gladden was driving a 2017 Toyota Tacoma pick-up truck south on Highway 11 when it crossed the double solid yellow lines and struck a white 2016 Ford F-250 waste management pick-up truck head on just north of the intersection of Mamalahoa Highway and Napo‘opo‘o Road in South Kona.
The driver of the Ford, a 44-year-old Waikoloa man, and his 36-year-old female passenger from Kailua-Kona were taken to Kona Community Hospital where they were treated and released.
Police said Gladden was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead at 12:55 p.m.
“Speed and impairment are possible factors in the collision,” a police news release said.
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An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
Police have opened a negligent homicide investigation and is asking anyone who witnessed the collision to contact Officer Jason Foxworthy at (808) 326-4646 ext. 229, or email at Jason.foxworthy@hawaiicounty.gov. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
This is the 23rd Big Island traffic fatality this year compared with 13 at this time last year, police said.
