HILO, HI – Hawai’i Island police are conducting a negligent homicide investigation following a tragic incident Thursday night in Hilo that claimed the life of a male pedestrian. The collision occurred on Waiānuenue Avenue near the intersection with Rainbow Drive.
Police officers were initially at Hilo Benioff Medical Center responding to a separate call around 8:23 p.m. when they encountered a vehicle-pedestrian accident. According to initial reports, a 2015 Subaru sedan was traveling west on Waiānuenue Avenue when it struck the pedestrian. The individual was reportedly in the roadway and not within a marked crosswalk at the time of the incident.
Emergency responders transported the pedestrian, who was conscious at the scene, to Hilo Benioff Medical Center in critical condition. Plans were underway to airlift him to Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu for further treatment. Sadly, his injuries proved fatal, and he was pronounced dead at 10:49 p.m. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the precise cause of death.
Authorities are withholding the victim’s identity pending positive identification and notification of his family.
The driver of the Subaru, identified as a 62-year-old woman from Hilo, was not injured in the collision.
The East Hawaii Traffic Enforcement Unit is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. Preliminary findings suggest that neither speed nor alcohol/drug impairment was a contributing factor.
Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has information relevant to the investigation to contact Officer Johnathan Rapoza at (808) 961-2339 or via email at Johnathan.Rapoza@hawaiicounty.gov. Individuals wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
This marks the 12th traffic fatality on Hawai’i Island this year, compared to 15 during the same period last year.