2 men die after head-on crash on Big Isle highway
Two men were killed in a head-on crash early this morning in the North Kona near the 81-mile marker of Queen Kaahumanu Highway.
Killed in the crash were Thomas Callero, 48, of Waikoloa; and Stewart Kroll, 70, of Kailua-Kona.
Big Island police said Kroll was driving a 2004 Honda minivan traveling south on Queen Kaahumanu Highway at 1:02 a.m. when it crossed the centerline and was involved in a head-on collision with a 1999 Chevrolet van driven by Callero, which had been traveling north.
Callero was taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital, where he died at 3:05 a.m.
Kroll was also taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital, where he died at 5:10 a.m.
It was not immediately known if speed or alcohol were factors in the crash.
The traffic enforcement unit has initiated a negligent homicide investigation and is asking for anyone who witnessed the crash to call Officer Kimo Keliipaakaua at 326-4646, extension 229. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
These are the third and fourth traffic fatalities this year compared with five at this time last year.
6 responses to “2 men die after head-on crash on Big Isle highway”
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First thing that comes to my mind is what kind of domestic car can I buy that will protect me in a head-on collision. Truck? Volvo? SUV? Tesla? It’s a minefield out there complicated by our population explosion and increase in inattentive senior citizens with slower reaction times. 1:02 AM is sleepy time. BTW good reporting. Lots of facts covered. Must have gotten a good cop who can read and write high school level English quickly and efficiently.
agree and Big Island roads are especially dangerous. They tend to be long, dark, isolated and one has to deal with the massive amount of heavy drugs, criminal behavior, and booze.
Allie some times it is better to keep your mouth shut and be thought of as an ID 10 T than to open it up and prove it.
I’ve changed my mind about the new Mustang; plan to buy a Humvee instead.
Condolences to Family and Friends. Sleep Apnea may have been culprit…sleep interruption and falling asleep at wheel. This can occur at anytime when driving. Approximately 12 million are believed to have sleep apnea and not being treated. Read up on the affect that sleep apnea may have had on the death of Justice Scalia. The common used “die in their sleep” may have caused by the ill effects of sleep apnea. High BP and the constant your body “jolting” to gasp for breath damage organs (i.e. heart) this also wrecks havoc on sleep cycles. If you suspect you or someone you care about has sleep apnea…get them to a sleep lab to check them out…just saying.
It could be one cause. Many prescription and OTC drugs also cause drowsiness, in addition to alcohol and illegal drugs.