Elderly man involved in traffic collision in Hilo a week ago, dies
A man who was critically injured in a two-vehicle traffic collision in Hilo almost a week ago has since died.
The collision occurred on Oct. 9 on Ponahawai Street between Komohana and Kapiolani Streets. Hawai‘i Island police responded to the crash at 8:37 p.m. where officers determined that a 2016 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck driven by Joseph Gomes, 77, of Hilo, was traveling west (mauka) on Ponahawai Street when his vehicle crossed the centerline and struck a 2013 Toyota Corolla four-door sedan that was traveling east (makai) on Ponahawai Street.
Gomes was found unresponsive at the scene. He was transported to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center and later medevaced to Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu for further treatment.
The 77-year-old ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead on Oct. 14 at 2:33 p.m.
The 59-year-old female operator of the Toyota sedan was also transported to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center where she was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and released.
At this time, police do not believe that speed, alcohol and/or drugs are factors in the crash.
The East Hawai‘i Traffic Enforcement Unit responded to the scene and is continuing the investigation.
Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact Officer Laurence Davis at 808-961-2339 or via email at Laurence.Davis@hawaiipolice.gov. Anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.
This is the 27th traffic fatality of 2026, compared to 17 traffic fatalities at the same time last year.
