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Posted: Tuesday, July 31st, 2012 8:53 AM HST

Hilo man is Big Island’s latest traffic fatality

By Ken Hupp - 67AM KPUA News

A 25-year-old Hilo man has died from injuries he sustained in a one-vehicle crash July 23 on South Point Road approximately 5.5 miles south of Kamā`oa Road. Ka`u patrol officers say the victim lost control of his northbound vehicle, which struck a utility pole and overturned several times. The man was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. He was taken by helicopter to Ka`u Community Hospital where he died shortly before 9:30 a.m. Sunday and became the island’s 21st traffic fatality of the year compared to 15 at this time last year. Police say its unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs were factors but speed may have been a factor in this crash. The name of the victim is being withheld pending positive identification.