SADDLE ROAD, Hawaii: The cross island Saddle Road was closed for short time on Monday, after a fatal crash took the life of a 31 year old Hilo man.

Hawaii County Police issued this media release with the details:

A 31-year-old Hilo man died Tuesday (May 1) from injuries he sustained in a two-vehicle crash on Saddle Road, .3 miles west of the 19-mile-marker.

The man was identified as Calsey B. Santos, of a Hilo address.

Responding to a 5:23 a.m. call, South Hilo patrol officers determined that Santos was operating a 1994 Nissan four-door sedan and traveling west on Saddle Road when he crossed the centerline and sideswiped a 2005 UD Flatbed tow truck that was traveling east.

The driver of the tow truck, a 48-year-old Kailua-Kona man and his passenger, a 58-year-old Hilo man, were not injured.

Santos was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 8:07 a.m.

It is unknown at this time if speed, alcohol or drugs were involved.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

This is the 12th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with eight at this time last year.