On Friday, March 25, a 77-year-old Eugene Theodore Leslie of Captain Cook died following a single vehicle collision on Highway 11, north of the intersection of Mamalahoa Highway and Napo‘opo‘o Road in South Kona.

Police determined that a black 2013 Mercedes-Benz SUV was heading south when it struck the guardrail, crossed over the double solid yellow lines, and then struck a rock embankment. Leslie was transported to the Kona Community Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

HPD believe speed is a possible factor in the crash. It was also determined that driver was not wearing his seatbelt.  An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Dayson Taniguchi at (808) 326-4646 ext. 229, or via email at dayson.taniguchi@hawaiicounty.gov.

This is the 11th traffic fatality in Hawaiʻi County this year.