Hawai‘i Police Investigate Fatal Hit-and-Run Crash

Authorities seek help locating a driver following a hit-and-run crash in Kaʻū that left one person dead.

The single-vehicle collision occurred on Monday near the intersection of Sea Breeze Parkway and Bamboo Lane in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. According to Hawai‘i police, officers responded to the incident at 4:55 p.m. Through the course of their investigation, they determined a black 1998 Toyota Tacoma was heading south out of a driveway when it struck the victim, identified as Elias Anaya Padilla.

According to an HPD press release this morning, Padilla was at one point either leaning into or holding onto the truck and was run over by the vehicle as the driver drove away in an unknown direction.

According to police, Padilla was involved in a verbal dispute with the driver, later identified as Alfredo Natividad when the incident occurred. The victim was taken to Kona Community Hospital where he was later pronounced dead at 8:12 p.m.

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

Authorities are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Natividad. Police describe the 67-year-old as a Hispanic male, 5 feet, 9 inches tall, weighing 210 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

The pickup truck is described as a black 1998 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck bearing license plate NNA 392.

The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent homicide investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Adam Roberg at 808-326-4646, ext. 229 or email at adam.roberg@hawaiicounty.gov.

This is the 27th traffic fatality this year compared to 16 at this time last year.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 808-961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.