Hawai‘i Island police are investigating a fatal single vehicle traffic collision that occurred on Kahakai Boulevard, in the Hawaiian Beaches area of Pahoa on Thursday, May 5, 2022.
 
Upon arrival, police investigators determined that a 2008 Honda Civic sedan left a nearby driveway and proceeded east down Kahakai Boulevard. The Honda Civic then crossed to the north side of the roadway and struck a mailbox and chain-link fence of a residence before coming to a stop. At the time of the collision the roadway was wet and it had been raining off and on.
 
The operator of the sedan, 31-year-old Ashton Martines, of Kailua Kona, was unresponsive at the scene and transported to Hilo Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead. An autopsy has been requested to determine the exact cause of death.
 
The sedan’s front seat passenger, a 30 year-old man, did not receive any injuries as a result of the traffic collision.
 
The East Hawaiʻi Traffic Enforcement Unit is conducting further investigation relative to any contributing factors and have initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation, which is pending.
 
Police are asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Blayne Matsui at (808) 961-2339 or via email Blayne.Matsui@HawaiiCounty.gov.