Woman critically injured when struck by vehicle while walking across highway in Pāpa‘ikou

A 48-year-old woman was critically injured the night of Feb. 7 when she was struck by a multi-purpose vehicle while walking in a crosswalk at the intersection of Highway 19 and Mill Road in Pāpa‘ikou.

The woman was transported to Hilo Benioff Medical Center after the crash and listed in critical condition. She was expected to be transported to The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu for further treatment.

A man who was walking with her was not struck or injured. The 55-year-old Hilo man driving the vehicle involved in the crash also was uninjured.

The crash happened at about 8 p.m. Friday. Hawai‘i Island police responding to the incident determined a 2018 Honda HR-V was Hilo-bound, heading south, on Highway 19 when it struck the woman, who sustained life-threatening injuries, when she and the other man were walking west in the marked crosswalk at the intersection in Pāpa‘ikou.

Hawai‘i Police Department East Hawai‘i Traffic Enforcement Unit personnel responded to the scene and continue to investigate the crash, which is classified as a negligent injury case.

Police do not think speed, alcohol and/or drugs were factors in the collision.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Officer Johnathan Rapoza at 808-961-2339 or via email at Johnathan.Rapoza@hawaiicounty.gov.

Those who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.