Police say a pedestrian was killed Sunday night on Highway 11 in Glenwood.
According to police, the 40-year-old male victim, whose name hasn’t yet been released, was sometime prior to 9:45 p.m. Sunday fronting Glenwood Park when he was struck by a northbound 2003 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck.
When police arrived, the driver of the Tacoma, 34-year-old Patrick Murphy of Mountain View, was performing CPR on the unresponsive victim in the park.
The pedestrian was taken by ambulance to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 10:46 p.m. Sunday.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
Police said in a release the pedestrian was in the northbound shoulder lane when struck.
According to police, Murphy initially thought he had struck a pig and went to a friend’s residence before returning to the collision scene. Upon realizing he had struck a man, Murphy called 911 and started CPR prior to the arrival of emergency services personnel.
As a result of the investigation by the East Hawaii Traffic Enforcement Unit, Murphy was arrested on suspicion of first-degree negligent homicide, DUI, leaving the scene of an accident, and failure to give information or render aid.
Murphy is being held at the Hilo police cellblock as the investigation continues.
Police ask that potential witnesses contact Officer Jerome Duarte at (808) 961-2339 or Jerome.Duarte@HawaiiCounty.gov. Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
This is the ninth official traffic fatality of the year.