Tragedy struck Hilo last Thursday evening, as a male pedestrian was fatally injured following a collision with a vehicle. According to a report by the Hawaii Police Department, the incident occurred near the intersection of Waiānuenue Avenue and Rainbow Drive. The pedestrian was hit by a 2015 Subaru four-door sedan while he was on the roadway, outside a marked crosswalk.
Following the collision, the man was found to be conscious and was subsequently rushed to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center in critical condition. Despite initial plans to transfer him to the Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu for further treatment, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 10:49 p.m. An autopsy is underway to ascertain the exact cause of death. The identity of pedestrian has been withheld, pending notification of his family, as reported by the Hawaii Police Department.
The driver of the Subaru, a 62-year-old woman from Hilo, did not sustain injuries from the incident. Police have ruled out speed and impairment by alcohol or drugs as contributing factors, as stated in the Hawaii Police Department release.
Those in possession of any information are encouraged to reach out to Officer Johnathan Rapoza, whose contact details have been shared by the Hawai'i County Police. Anonymous tips can also be placed through Crime Stoppers. The death of the pedestrian marks the 12th traffic fatality in Hilo this year, a slight decrease from the count at the same time last year, as per the Hawaii Police Department.
