UPDATE: Suspect in Kurtistown fatality released pending further investigation

Update at 8:55 a.m. May 20: Hawai’i Island police have released the operator of a vehicle that struck a male pedestrian who died, following a Kurtistown traffic collision on Friday, May 16, 2025.

Police responded to the 7:22 p.m. call on Friday in the area of the Orchidland Drive and 36th Avenue intersection and determined that a 2010 Jeep Wrangler multi-purpose vehicle operated by Dallas Brooks, 30, was traveling east on Orchidland Drive when it struck Maxwell Robertson Sherwood, 21, who was on the roadway and not in a marked crosswalk.

Robertson Sherwood was transported to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center via ambulance where he succumbed to his injuries and pronounced deceased at 7:48 p.m. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

Brooks was not injured as a result of the collision. He was arrested for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant and first-degree negligent homicide.

The East Hawaiʻi Traffic Enforcement Unit responded to the scene and at this time, police believe that alcohol is a factor in the crash.

On Saturday May 17, after conferring with the Hawaii County Prosecutors Office, the East Hawaiʻi Traffic Enforcement Unit released Brooks pending further investigation.

A negligent homicide investigation has been initiated and if anyone has information regarding this collision they may contact Officer Joshua Rodby-Tomas at (808) 961-2339 or by email at Joshua.Rodby-Tomas@hawaiicounty.gov.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

This is the 13th traffic fatality of 2025 as compared to 16 traffic fatalities this same time last year.

Original story on May 17: One man is dead and another behind bars following a deadly crash Friday in Kurtistown.

Maxwell Robertson Sherwood of Kea‘au succumbed to the injuries he received in the crash shortly after 7 p.m. on Orchidland Drive and was pronounced dead at 7:48 p.m. after being transported to Hilo Benioff Medical Center via ambulance. He was 21 years old.

Dallas Brooks, the 30-year-old driver of the 2010 Jeep Wrangler that struck Sherwood, was arrested for first-degree negligent homicide and operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant.

Hawai‘i Island police launched a negligent homicide investigation following the fatal traffic collision Friday night involving Brooks and Sherwood on a Kurtistown roadway.

Officers responding to the 7:22 p.m. call determined that the Jeep driven by Brooks was traveling east on Orchidland Drive, near the intersection with 36th Avenue, when it hit Sherwood, who was on the roadway and not in a marked crosswalk.

A witness said that prior to the collision, other vehicles had to swerve to avoid hitting Sherwood, who was in the middle of the roadway.

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

Brooks was not injured. He remains in custody at the Hilo Police Station pending further investigation.

Hawai‘i Police Department’s East Hawai‘i Traffic Enforcement Unit responded to the scene and continues to investigate. Police think alcohol was a factor in the crash.

The portion of Orchidland Drive near the intersection with 36th Avenue, where the crash happened Friday, was closed for a little more than 2 hours.

Anyone who might have any information about this crash can 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 was the Big Island’s 13th traffic fatality this year compared with 16 by this time last year.