Hilo man dies
in 4-car crash

A 26-year old Hilo man died in a four-car collision on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) in Ookala yesterday.

Police said that sometime before 5:15 a.m., a 2000 Ford F-150 pickup truck driven by Daniel Drapesa, 21, of Hilo, was traveling east on Route 19 when he crossed the center line of the roadway as he entered the Kaawalii Gulch and struck three vehicles traveling west on Route 19, east of the 28 mile marker.

Police said Drapesa's vehicle struck a Ford Ranger pickup, then struck a Toyota Tacoma pickup and a 1994 Honda four-door sedan. The driver of the Tacoma, identified as 26-year-old Chris Kauwe of Hilo, was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 9:22 a.m. Drapesa and the drivers of the two other vehicles were also taken to the Hilo Medical Center, where they were treated and released.

The Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent homicide case and the investigation is continuing to determine if speed and alcohol factored in the crash.

Anyone with information or who witnessed this collision should contact officer Wendall Carter of the Traffic Enforcement Unit at 961-2232.

Yesterday's death is the 35th traffic fatality on the Big Island so far this year, compared to 29 for the same time last year.