Impaired driver tells police he thought he hit a pig, but kills pedestrian in Volcano

An allegedly impaired Mountain view man was driving north on Highway 11 in a 2003 Toyota Tacoma on Sunday night when he struck what he thought was a pig in front of Glenwood Park in Volcano, according to Hawaiʻi Island police.

The truck’s driver, 34-year-old Patrick Murphy, continued north on Highway 11 to the area of Lehuanani in Mountain View. He went to a friendʻs house and then returned to the scene to discover he had ran into a man who had been on the shoulder of the road, police said.

Murphy called 911 and began CPR.

Puna Patrol officers responded about 9:45 p.m. and found Murphy performing CPR on an unresponsive male in the grassy area of the park about 20 feet from the road.

The 40-year-old man was transported to Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 10:46 p.m. on May 14. The victim is not being unidentified pending notification of his family.

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

Police investigators determined that Murphy was traveling north and struck the pedestrian who was in the northbound shoulder lane.

As a result of the investigation by the East Hawaiʻi Traffic Enforcement Unit, Murphy was arrested for the following:

• First-degree negligent homicide
• Operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant
• Accidents involving death or serious bodily injury
• Duty to give information or render aid

Murphy is currently being held at the East Hawaiʻi Detention Facility as the investigation continues.

The East Hawaii Traffic Enforcement Unit is continuing their investigation into this traffic collision. Police ask that anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who has information about it, to contact Officer Jerome Duarte at 808-961-2339, or via email at Jerome.Duarte@HawaiiCounty.gov.

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

This is the 8th fatal traffic collision of 2023 compared to 16 fatal traffic collisions during this same time period last year.