KOLOA – A Kalaheo man died last night in a single-car traffic crash on Kaumuali‘i Highway just west of Halfway Bridge.

According to a preliminary report, the man was driving west-bound in a Subaru SUV at around 11:37 p.m. when he crashed into a tree on the side of the highway near mile marker six, and his vehicle burst into flames.

The man did not get out of the vehicle before the fire.

The car was fully engulfed by flames and the fire had spread to the surrounding grassy area when firefighters and rescue specialists from the Lihu'e fire station arrived at the scene.

The vehicle and brushfires were extinguished shortly after their arrival.

It is not known if speed, alcohol or drugs were contributing factors in this traffic collision.

Police are continuing their investigation.

The death is Kaua'i’s second traffic fatality this year.