Pedestrian Involved in Hit-and-Run Dies; Investigation Changed to Negligent Homicide

Update: A woman involved in a hit-and-run traffic collision on Wednesday, May 11, has died.

According to Big Island police, the pedestrian involved, identified as 64-year-old Carrie Ikawa, died Thursday, May 12. The investigation into the incident was changed from a negligent injury case to a negligent homicide after police were notified about Ikawa’s death by the Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu.

An autopsy was ordered to determine the exact cause of death. Police are continuing to investigate.

Original story: A pedestrian is in critical condition after she was struck by a vehicle Wednesday morning on Hualālai Street in Hilo. Authorities are investigating the incident as a hit-and-run.

The collision was reported at 7:59 a.m. between Ululani and Kino’ole Streets. Hawai‘i police say the 64-year-old woman was outside her parked vehicle, a 2018 Ford pickup truck, on Hualālai Street when she was struck by a white-colored SUV traveling north on the roadway.

HPD stated the victim suffered multiple injuries and was transported to Hilo Medical Center in critical condition. She was later flown to Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu for further treatment.

Through the course of their investigation and witness statements, police discovered the vehicle involved in the incident to be a 2013 Ford Explorer registered to a woman in her 40s. The owner was contacted and the vehicle was recovered. Police continue to investigate this traffic collision through the examination of the vehicles and evidence.

HPD has identified the owner of the vehicle, however since the investigation is ongoing and no charges have been filed, Big Island Now will not report her name.

The East Hawaii Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent injury investigation, which is pending.

Police are asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Clifford Antonio at 808-961-2339 or via email Clifford.Antonio@HawaiiCounty.gov.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.