UPDATE: 60-year-old Ocean View man struck by van in downtown Hilo succumbs to injuries

Update at 9:15 a.m. June 27, 2025: Hawai‘i Island police reported Thursday (June 26) that the 60-year-old Ocean View man who was struck the morning of June 18 near the intersection of Kino‘ole and Ponahawai streets in Hilo has died.

The man was also identified as Terry Lytle.

Police reclassified the investigation into the traffic incident — which involved a 2001 Ford E250 van being driven by a 39-year-old Hilo man striking Lytle as he walked, not in a marked crosswalk, into traffic on Kino‘ole Street — from a negligent injury to a negligent homicide.

Anyone who has information regarding this incident is asked to contact Officer Joshua Rodby-Tomas at 808-961-2339 or via email at joshua.rodby-tomas@hawaiicounty.gov.

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

This is the 14th traffic fatality so far on Big Island roadways in 2025, four less than the 18 traffic fatalities that had been recorded by this time last year.

Original story posted at 11 a.m. June 21, 2025: A 60-year-old Ocean View man sustained life-threatening injuries in a traffic crash the morning of June 18 in Hilo.

Hilo patrol officers responded just after 10 a.m. Wednesday to near the area of Kino‘ole Street and Ponahawai streets in downtown Hilo and determined a 2001 Ford E250 van being driven by a 39-year-old Hilo man struck the Ocean View man — who was walking east, not in a marked crosswalk, into traffic — as it traveled south on Kino‘ole Street.

The 60-year-old pedestrian was transported to Hilo Benioff Medical Center for treatment and listed in critical condition.

The operator of the van was not injured. No arrests were made.

Hawai‘i Police Department’s East Hawai‘i Traffic Enforcement Unit responded to the scene and continues the investigation.

Police at this time do not think that speed, alcohol and/or drugs were factors in the crash.

A negligent injury investigation into the incident also was launched.

Anyone who has information regarding the crash is asked to contact Officer Joshua Rodby-Tomas at 808-961-2339 or via email at joshua.rodby-tomas@hawaiicounty.gov.

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