2 reported killed in road accidents on Hawaii island

It was a deadly weekend on Hawaii island’s Highway 11.

At about 8:58 p.m. Sunday, a white Toyota Tacoma pickup truck was traveling toward Kau on Highway 11 near the 33-mile marker when it rolled over. All three occupants were thrown from the vehicle, said Jessica Ferracane, spokeswoman for Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, in a news release.

Firefighters responded and found a 48-year-old passenger pinned beneath the truck. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The victim’s name was being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Police arrested the 43-year-old driver on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. Ferracane said he was transported to Hilo Medical Center to undergo an evaluation.

The third occupant, a 53-year-old man, was also transported to the hospital for treatment.

This was the second traffic-related fatality at the national park this year. Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call park dispatch at 985-6170.

On Monday police closed Highway 11 between the 69- and 70-mile markers while they investigated a motorcycle accident. Hawaii News Now reported that the motorcyclist died.

Witnesses said a group of bikers was traveling at a high rate of speed in a no-passing zone before the accident.

At about 11 a.m. police urged the public to avoid the area for five hours. The road was reopened in both directions at about 2:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, a man who died in a single-vehicle crash in Keaau has been identified as Ulysses Guillermo of Hilo.

The crash occurred May 22 on Highway 11 just after 8:05 a.m.

Police said a 1998 Toyota truck was traveling toward Hilo when the driver lost control while merging from the Keaau bypass onto Highway 11.

The truck went up an embankment and overturned. Police said Guillermo died at the scene.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call Officer Keith Nacis at 961-8119. Tipsters also may call CrimeStoppers at 961-8300.