Hawai'i Island authorities are investigating a fatal incident in Kurtistown last Friday evening. The victim, 21-year-old Maxwell Robertson Sherwood from Kea'au, was struck by a vehicle on Orchidland Drive near 36th Avenue. Reports say Sherwood was not in a marked crosswalk at the time of the accident, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
Police responded quickly to a call at 7:22 p.m. and are investigating the accident. A witness said that before the collision, other vehicles swerved to avoid Sherwood, who was in the middle of the road. Sherwood was taken to Hilo Benioff Medical Center but was pronounced dead at 7:48 p.m., as reported by the Hawaii Police Department.
Dallas Brooks, 30, driver of a 2010 Jeep Wrangler involved in a crash on Hawai‘i Island, was unharmed and taken into custody on suspicion of DUI and first-degree negligent homicide. The East Hawai‘i Traffic Enforcement Unit is investigating, with alcohol suspected as a factor. An autopsy has been ordered to determine Sherwood’s cause of death. This is the 13th traffic fatality on the island in 2025, compared to 16 at the same time last year. Officer Joshua Rodby-Tomas can be reached at (808) 961-2339. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300, as stated by the Hawaii Police Department.
