Hawaiʻi Police Department
Traffic Enforcement Unit
Sergeant Christopher D. Gali
Phone: 961-2332
Report No. C11022611
Media Release
A 67-year-old Hilo man died Monday (August 29) from injuries he sustained in a one-vehicle crash on Macadamia Road, 1.6 miles east of Hawaiʻi Belt Road (Route 11).
The victim was identified as Reginald N. Iwasaki of a Hilo address.
Responding to a 12:49 p.m. call, Puna patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 2005 GMC van and traveling east on Macadamia Road when he drifted off the left side of the road and struck a tree.
The victim had to be extricated by Fire Department personnel and later transported to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 3:25 p.m. He was wearing a seat belt.
It is unknown at this time if speed, alcohol or drugs were involved in this crash.
Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a coroner’s inquest case and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Because this crash occurred on a private road, the death is not counted toward the official traffic fatality count.
