Police ID victim in fatal hit-and-run crash

KAILUA-KONA — Police on Friday identified the pedestrian killed in an early Thursday hit-and-run collision in Kailua Village.

The victim was identified as 35-year-old Masayoki George, according to the Hawaii Police Department.

Police responded to a 12:51 a.m. Thursday call of a man who had apparently been struck in the eastbound or (mauka-bound) lane of Hualalai Road near the exits for the Kailua-Kona Public Library and the Kona Farmers Market by an unknown vehicle.

Preliminary investigation indicated George was lying on the roadway in a dimly lit area when he was run over by the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at 4:07 a.m. at Kona Community Hospital.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

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. Damage to the vehicle would be confined to the undercarriage.

Police are asking for any video surveillance in the area that may have recorded useful information.

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.

Police on Friday also identified a second fatality victim.

The female pedestrian who died from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle/pedestrian crash that occurred on Wednesday morning on Highway 130 in Puna near the 16-mile marker has been identified as 66-year-old Jackie Yasuda of Pahoa.

The Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the accident to contact Officer Jared Cabatu of the Area I Traffic Enforcement Unit at (808) 961-2339.