Man killed in hit-and-run pedestrian crash

Big Island police are investigating a Wednesday night crash on Highway 137 in Puna that left a pedestrian dead.

Responding to an 11:28 p.m. call, police determined that a man was walking along Highway 137 when he was struck by a vehicle that fled the scene, according to the Hawaii Police Department. The collision occurred 0.1 mile east of the intersection of Highway 137 and Pahoa-Kalapana Road.

The pedestrian was unresponsive at the scene, and he was later pronounced dead at the Hilo Medical Center at 3:37 a.m., according to police The identification of the victim is still pending.

Police believe alcohol and inattention were factors in the crash.

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

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or have any information relative to the identity of the responsible driver, should contact Officer Jared Cabatu of the Area I Traffic Enforcement Unit at (808) 961-2339.

This is the third traffic fatality this year on Big Island public roads compared to two at this time last year.