Hawaiʻi Police release driver who thought he hit a pig but killed a pedestrian

Hawai‘i Island police have released the driver of a 2003 Toyota Tacoma who was arrested Sunday night for striking and killing a 40-year-old pedestrian, but continue to investigate the hit-and-run collision that occurred on Highway 11 in front of Glenwood Park in Volcano.

The driver of the truck, 34-year-old Patrick Murphy of Mountain View, told police he initially thought he hit a pig. Murphy continued to a friend’s house in Mountain View, but returned to the scene. He found the man he struck, called 911 and performed CPR.

Police arrested Murphy at the scene for:

• Negligent homicide in the first degree
• Operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant
• Accident involving death or serious bodily injury
• Duty to give information or render aid

After conferring with the County Prosecutor’s Office on May 16, Murphy was released pending further investigation.

According to police, Puna Patrol officers responded at 9:45 p.m. on May 14 and found Murphy performing CPR on an unresponsive male in the grassy area of the park, 20 feet from the northbound lane of Highway 11.

The pedestrian was transported to Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 10:46 p.m. Sunday night. The victim remains unidentified at this time, pending positive identification and notification of his family. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

Police investigating the traffic collision on Sunday determined Murphy was traveling north on Highway 11 in a truck when he struck the male pedestrian who was in the northbound shoulder lane.

The East Hawaii Traffic Enforcement Unit is continuing their investigation into this traffic collision. Police are asking for anyone who may have witnessed the accident or has information 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 ninth fatal traffic collision of 2023 on the Big Island compared to 15 fatal traffic collisions during this same time period last year.