A 54-year-old Kailua-Kona man sustained life-threatening injuries in a single-vehicle collision near Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a in Kona.

On Saturday evening, responding police investigators determined that a silver 2023 Jeep Wrangler was traveling south on Māmalahoa Highway near the 23 mile-marker, when it ran off the right shoulder and struck a wood utility pole. The Jeep then rolled over several times and the driver, who was not wearing his seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle.

As a result of the collision, the driver sustained severe head and internal injuries and was taken to Kona Community Hospital for immediate medical attention. He was subsequently transported to Queen’s Medical Center on Oʻahu for further treatment.