Waimea, Hawai‘i Island – Police are investigating a tragic traffic incident that led to the death of an elderly Waimea resident. The victim, identified as 84-year-old Colin Perry, passed away several days after the initial collision.

The incident occurred on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at approximately 12:42 p.m. Hāmākua Patrol officers responded to a reported vehicle crash on a gravel road north of the Mamane Street and Māmalahoa Highway (Highway 19) intersection. According to initial reports, Perry was driving his 2016 Toyota Tacoma when the truck’s front left corner struck the rear of a parked and unattended 2005 Honda Pilot.

After the collision, Perry exited his vehicle, which then rolled backward, pinning him between the driver’s side of his truck and the rear of the Honda Pilot. Bystanders managed to stop the truck from rolling further, and Perry freed himself from between the vehicles.

Emergency responders from the Hawai‘i Fire Department transported Perry to North Hawaii Community Hospital with internal injuries. Despite being stabilized, he remained in critical condition and was later airlifted to Queens Medical Center on Oahu for further treatment. Tragically, Perry succumbed to his injuries on December 20, 2024, at 2:18 p.m.

This incident marks the 29th fatality from 26 fatal crashes on Hawai‘i Island in 2024. Since the collision occurred on private property, it is classified as a non-traffic fatality. Including this case, there were two non-traffic fatalities on the island in 2024, compared to one in 2023.

The Area I Traffic Enforcement Unit is continuing the investigation. Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident to contact Officer Jerome Duarte at (808) 961-2339 or via email at Jerome.Duarte@hawaiicounty.gov.