Hawai‘i Island police respond to second fatal pedestrian crash in Hilo this year

Another pedestrian was hit by a vehicle and killed in Hilo within a matter of days after a teen was fatally hit while crossing the street by an on-duty Hawai‘i Island police officer.

Hawai‘i Island police responded to the incident on Thursday at 4:26 p.m. on Ohuohu Street between Maka‘ala and Puainako Streets. When they arrived at the scene, officers discovered Wayne Metz, 66, of Mountain View, unresponsive. He was taken to Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 6:55 p.m.

An autopsy was ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

Through the course of their investigation, officers learned a 70-year-old Hilo man was traveling south on Ohuohu Street in a 2018 Dodge pickup truck when he reportedly hit Metz, who police say was not in a marked crosswalk.

The operator of the pickup truck was not injured as a result of the collision.

The East Hawai‘i Traffic Enforcement Unit responded to the scene and initiated a negligent homicide investigation, which is ongoing. At this time, police believe that speed was not a factor in the crash.

Police ask that anyone who has information regarding Thursday’s collision contact Officer Laurence Davis at 808-961-2339 or via email at Laurence.Davis@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.

This is the second fatal pedestrian crash to occur in Hilo within a matter of days. The first happened on Jan. 8 when an 18-year veteran of the Hawai‘i Police Department hit 16-year-old Samuel Mwarey at 12:16 a.m., who was not in a marked crosswalk.

Overall, this is the third traffic fatality of 2024 as compared to one traffic fatality this same time last year.