A Kailua-Kona woman died following a hit-and-run crash early Sunday on Kuakini Highway in North Kona.
The woman has not been positively identified, according to police.
Responding to a 4:21 a.m. call, police determined that an unknown vehicle was heading north on Kuakini Highway when it apparently struck the woman, who was in the northbound lane of highway about 150 yards south of mile marker 119 and north of Sea View Circle. The person(s) responsible failed to render aid to the pedestrian, and fled the scene.
The female pedestrian was transported to the Kona Community Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 8:30 a.m. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
Police said the woman was wearing dark clothing and not in a marked crosswalk at the time of the crash. The area of the highway is also unlit.
Police at the scene determined that there were possibly two vehicles that were involved in the collision: A 2017-20 KIA Niro and a 2013-16 Chevrolet Malibu.
Police are asking the public to review their home or business surveillance videos for any vehicle matching the above description between the hours of 3:30 and 5 a.m. The vehicles would have sustained damage to the driver’s side front fender and bumper.
The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent homicide investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Len Hamakado at (808) 326-4646 Ext. 229 or email at len.hamakado@hawaiicounty.gov.
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and may be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
This is the 24th traffic fatality this year compared to 13 at this time last year.