HILO — A woman in her 60s was killed this morning after being struck by a vehicle on Highway 130.
According to a report from the Hawaii County Fire Department, a driver of an SUV reported having struck a pedestrian while northbound on Highway 130.
Battalion chief Mathias Kusch said the accident occurred at approximately the 15.5 mile marker, but the driver had to continue along the road for some way in order to receive a cellular signal with which to call emergency responders. Because of this, Kusch said, there was a “disconnect” between the scene of the accident and the location of the driver, meaning it was not clear what circumstances led to the woman being struck.
In any event, emergency responders and Hawaii Police Department officers attempted to resuscitate the woman, but soon pronounced her dead on arrival due to traumatic injuries.
While responding to the scene, emergency responders were attacked by a small dog seemingly attempting to protect the victim. The dog was picked up by the Hawaii Island Humane Society.
Both lanes of Highway 130 were closed at the Kamaili Road intersection following the crash. Since then, Kamaili Road has been reopened, but Highway 130 remains closed.
The crash remains under investigation.