1 dead in fiery fatal collision near 18-mile marker on Daniel K. Inouye Highway in Hilo

This story was updated at 8:56 p.m. Thursday, June 4, 2026.

One person died in a fiery two-vehicle collision Thursday morning, June 4, on Daniel K. Inouye Highway, also known as Saddle Road, in Hilo on the Big Island.

Hawai‘i Police Department is investigating.

Hawai‘i Fire Department and Pōhakuloa Training Area Fire and Emergency Services personnel responded just after 8:30 a.m. Thursday following a report about a traffic crash near the 18-mile marker of Saddle Road. The first units were on scene before 9 a.m.

Fire department officials report that when firefighters arrived at the scene they found one vehicle in the eastbound, or Hilo-bound, lane fully involved in fire. The second vehicle was located on the shoulder of the eastbound lane, and while not reported by police, fire officials say its cab was partially ablaze.

Hawai‘i Police Department reports law enforcement determined a 2003 Toyota 4-Runner was traveling westbound, or Kona-bound, on Daniel K. Inouye Highway when the driver lost control while making their way around a curve.

The multi-purpose vehicle hydroplaned into the eastbound lane and was then broadsided by a 2024 Ford F-450 commercial truck, which Hawai‘i Fire Department reports as a dump truck.

Both vehicles received substantial to major damage.

Police report the driver of the Toyota was trapped inside and unresponsive. Hawai‘i Fire Department confirmed the driver was dead on arrival.

The blaze was extinguished by 9:15 a.m., and the driver was transported to Hilo Benioff Medical Center, where they were officially pronounced dead at 11:30 a.m.

Police had not yet released as of Thursday evening the name or age of the driver killed, pending positive identity and notification of next of kin.

The 53-year-old Kailua-Kona man driving the Ford — who Hawai‘i Fire Department reports was able to get out of the truck on his own after the crash — was also transported to the Hilo hospital and treated for minor injuries.

Police do not think speed or intoxication were factors in the deadly collision; however, weather might have played a part. Fire officials also do not know exactly what sparked the fires following the fatal collision.

Hawai‘i Police Department Area I Traffic Enforcement Unit responded to the scene and continues to investigate.

Firefighters extinguished all flames at the scene and then conducted a search for any other possible crash victims, looking within about 40 yards from where the collision happened and on both sides of the highway.

None were found.

Police do not mention it in their report, but Hawai‘i Fire Department says a third vehicle, a minivan, was involved, skidding about 30 feet off the eastbound lane. No injuries were reported and occupants of the minivan did not want emergency medical services.

Hawai‘i Police Department blocked traffic and closed the portion of Daniel K. Inouye Highway near the 18-mile marker before Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel arrived. Both lanes of the highway were closed about 4 hours, until they reopened sometime about 1 p.m. Thursday.

Personnel with Pōhakuloa Training Area Fire and Emergency Services assisting during the incident also had flames knocked down prior to Hawai‘i Fire Department arrival.

A total of 17 members of the fire department and Pōhakuloa Fire and Emergency responded to the collision with two fire engines, three medical units and two other additional units.

Hawai‘i Fire Department firefighters prior to the highway’s reopening removed debris and conducted a second search for additional victims, again finding none.

All fire department units were back in quarters by just after 11 a.m.

Thursday morning’s deadly collision marked the 15th fatality this year on Hawai‘i Island roadways — the second within 24 hours after a Pāhoa motorcyclist was killed in a crash during the early evening Wednesday, June 3, on Kahakai Boulevard in Pāhoa.

That’s two more compared with 13 traffic fatalities on island roadways by the same time last year.

Police also report there have been three fatal crashes resulting in five deaths since Jan. 1 on Daniel K. Inouye Highway. There were none during the same time period last year.

Authorities said selective enforcement operations will now be significantly increased on Saddle Road in response to the spike in fatalities and continued dangerous driving behaviors threatening public safety.

Officers will maintain a heightened enforcement presence along the highway, focused on identifying and addressing hazardous violations including speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving and seat belt violations, specifically aimed at preventing serious traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities.

“Reckless and dangerous driving behaviors place everyone on our roadways at risk,” said Hawai‘i Police Department Traffic Services Section Program Manager Torey Keltner in an announcement about the heightened enforcement efforts. “Our officers will continue proactive enforcement efforts along the [Daniel K. Inouye] Highway corridor to improve driver compliance and help keep our communities safe.”

Anyone with additional information about Thursday morning’s deadly and fiery collision on Saddle Road is urged to contact Officer Laurence Davis at 808-961-2339 or via email at Laurence.Davis@hawaiipolice.gov.

Those who want to remain anonymous can call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 808-961-8300.

News reporter Nathan Christophel contributed to this story.