Pedestrian crossing an East Hawai‘i highway fatally struck by a vehicle

A 62-year-old woman is dead after she was struck by a vehicle while crossing Highway 130 in Kea‘au Thursday night.

Hawai‘i police responded to the collision at 6:58 p.m. Once on scene, officers determined that a 2017 Honda HRV was traveling south on Highway 130 when it struck the pedestrian in the southbound lane while the pedestrian was crossing the highway, just north of Paradise Drive.

At the time of the incident, police say the roadway was dry and there were no crosswalks in the sparsely-lit area.

The driver of the 2017 Honda HRV, a 41-year-old female, was not injured as a result of the traffic collision.

The pedestrian was treated by EMS at the scene and transported via ambulance to the Hilo Medical Center where she was later pronounced dead at 8:39 p.m. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death. The identity of the pedestrian is being withheld pending positive identification and notification of the family.

Further investigation will be conducted to determine any factors associated with this traffic collision.

The East Hawai‘i Traffic Enforcement Unit initiated a negligent homicide investigation and is continuing their investigation into this traffic collision. Police are asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who has information about it, 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 eighth fatal traffic collision of 2023 compared to 12 fatal traffic collisions during this same time period last year.