Update: 74-year-old involved in New Year’s crash in Waikōloa died from medical condition

Update at 2:53 p.m. Feb. 8: Hawai‘i Police Department reports a traffic crash New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, in Waikōloa involving 74-year-old Ray Donnell Worrells of Waikōloa is no longer classified as a fatal crash following an autopsy.

The coroner determined Worrells died as a result of a medical condition and not directly from injuries he sustained in the single-vehicle crash at the intersection of ‘Ele‘ele and Hā‘ena streets, when the blue 2019 Mercedes-Benz 300 SUV he was driving hit a rock wall and overtuned.

As a result of the crash’s reclassification, the Big Island’s official traffic fatality count for 2025 was adjusted to 5 instead of the previously reported 6, which is still one more than the 4 fatalities reported in the same time period last year.

Original post from 10:30 p.m. Jan. 1: An elderly Waikōloa man is dead following a single-vehicle crash New Year’s Day.

Hawai‘i Island police responded to the crash that happened shortly after 5 p.m. Jan. 1 at the intersection of ‘Ele‘ele and Hā‘ena streets in Waikōloa.

Officers learned that 74-year-old Ray Donnell Worrells was driving a blue 2019 Mercedes-Benz 300 SUV south on ‘Ele‘ele Street when he reportedly crossed the double-solid yellow lines and hit a rock wall, causing his vehicle to overturn.

Worrells suffered multiple injuries and was taken to Queen’s North Hawai‘i Community Hospital in Waimea. He ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 8:20 a.m. Jan. 2.

The Hawai‘i Police Department Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit initiated a major traffic collision investigation, which is ongoing.

An autopsy was ordered to determine Worrells’ exact cause of death.

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact Officer Dayson Taniguchi at 808-326-4646, ext. 229, or via email at dayson.taniguchi@hawaiicounty.gov.

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