KAILUA-KONA — A pedestrian was killed in an apparent hit-and-run collision early Thursday fronting the Kailua-Kona Public Library on Hualalai Road.
Responding to a 12:51 a.m. call, Hawaii Police Department officers determined that the currently unidentified Kailua-Kona man was struck in the eastbound (or mauka-bound) lane of Hualalai Road by an unknown vehicle that was also headed east.
Police said preliminary investigation indicates the pedestrian was lying on the roadway when he was run over by the unknown vehicle. The victim was transported to the Kona Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 4:07 a.m.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
The victim is described as in his 30s and being of Polynesian (possibly Marshallese or Micronesian) descent. He had a dark complexion and stood between 5 feet 4 inches and 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighed between 140 to 160 pounds. Police are asking for the public’s help identifying the man.
Police said the vehicle suspected to be involved in the collision is possibly a truck or sport utility vehicle (SUV) because of the injuries suffered by the victim.
The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent homicide investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact Officer Jason Foxworthy at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229.
This is the 10th traffic fatality this year compared to 11 at this time last year.