Hawai’i Island police launched a negligent homicide investigation after a 38-year-old Kailua-Kona male pedestrian died in a single-vehicle collision in North Kona on Monday morning, July 22, 2024.
Responding to a call at 3:54 a.m., police determined that a green 2015 Subaru Forester was traveling northbound on Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway, (Highway 19), just south of the Kaloko/Honokōhau intersection, when it crossed over the white fog line (mauka side) and struck the pedestrian. The driver, later identified as 34-year-old Garrett Duran of Kailua-Kona, abandoned his vehicle and fled the area but was later located a block away from the crash scene and subsequently arrested.
The pedestrian was transported to the Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4:59 a.m. He has not been positively identified pending notification of next of kin.
Duran was arrested for:
- Operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant (OVUII)
- Negligent homicide
- Manslaughter
- Inattention to driving
- Failure to render aid
Duran is currently being held at the Kealakehe Police Station while the investigation continues.
The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent homicide investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Adam Roberg at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229, or email at adam.roberg@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
This is the 21st traffic fatality this year compared to 10 at this time last year.