Hawai‘i Island police have identified the driver killed in a single-vehicle traffic collision that occurred on Saturday, February 5, 2022, on Highway 19 in Pāpa‘aloa as 69-year-old Dean Cowell, of Carson, New Mexico.

Police investigating the traffic collision determined that Cowell was operating a 2020 Ford Edge traveling north on Highway 19, in the area of the 18 mile marker, when he appeared to have veered into the right shoulder while approaching a bridge. The car then proceeded north off the cliff and struck the bridge’s support column before coming to a rest in the ravine below. At the time of the collision the roadways did not appear to be wet, however it had been overcast in the area.

Although an autopsy has been conducted, the completed autopsy report and exact cause of death have not been determined at this time.

The East Hawaiʻi Traffic Enforcement Unit continues to investigate this as a coroner’s inquest investigation, which remains pending. Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who has information may contact Officer Blayne Matsui at (808) 961-2339 or via email Blayne.Matsui@HawaiiCounty.gov.