One Dead, One Injured in 2-Vehicle Saddle Road Collision

An adult male died following a two-vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon, July 11, on the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road) in the North Hilo District.

His name is being withheld pending identification and notification of his family.

Responding to a 4:18 p.m. call, police determined that a 2010 Mazda sedan was traveling westbound on Saddle Road between the 25- and 26-mile marker when it crossed the center line and collided head-on into a 2018 Nissan pickup that was traveling eastbound.

The man who died, the driver of the Mazda sedan, was transported via ambulance to the Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 5:48 p.m.

The driver of the Nissan pickup, a 51-year-old Hilo man, was transported by a Pōhakuloa Training Area helicopter to the Hilo Medical Center for treatment of his injuries, where he remains in stable condition.

Both drivers were wearing their seatbelts, and it is unknown at this time if speed was a factor in this crash.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

Police ask anyone who witnessed the crash to call Officer Clarence Acob at (808) 961-2329. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

This is the 16th traffic fatality this year compared with 20 at this time last year.