Big Island man dies after vehicle rollover on Daniel K. Inouye Highway

A Pāhoa man is dead following a single-vehicle crash on Daniel K. Inouye Highway Thursday evening.

Hawai‘i Island police responded to the crash at 11:10 p.m. Through the course of their investigation, officers learned that a 2003 Toyota sedan Hilo bound, was overtaking a vehicle at a high rate of speed between the 18- and 19-mile marker, when it lost control on the wet roadway while negotiating a curve, crossing into the westbound shoulder, and rolling over several times.

The 30-year-old male driver was ejected from the vehicle and found unresponsive at the scene. He was transported to Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 2:41 a.m. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

The driver was not wearing his seatbelt.

The identity of the driver is being withheld pending positive identification and notification of his next of kin.

His passenger, a 26-year-old man from Kea‘au, was transported to Hilo Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries and is listed in stable condition.

Police believe that speed is a factor in the crash.

The Area I Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Jerome Duarte at 808-961-2339 or via email at [email protected].

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

This is the fourth traffic fatality of 2024 as compared to two traffic fatalities this same time last year.