Pedestrian Killed in Single-Vehicle Accident Sunday Identified
A pedestrian who died as the result of an early Sunday morning single-vehicle crash in Waimea has been identified as 38-year-old Jacob Freebairn of Waimea.
According to Hawai’i Police Department officials, an autopsy conducted Wednesday determined that he died as a result of injuries sustained in the accident.
Officers responded to a 1:13 a.m. call Sunday, where they learned that a 2010 Nissan Frontier pickup truck was driving west on Kawaihae Road near the Door or Faith Church when it veered across the highway and collided with a male pedestrian who was walking on the east shoulder of the road.
The man, now identified as Freebairn, sustained critical injuries from the collision and was taken to Kona Community Hospital. He was pronounced dead at 6:20 a.m.
Twenty-seven-year-old BertJim Badua of Kapa’au was the operator of the truck. Badua was arrested on suspicion of first-degree negligent homicide and released pending further investigation.
Both alcohol and speed are believed to be factors in the collision.