Hawai‘i Island police have initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation following a Hilo traffic incident that left one man dead. Yesterday morning, South Hilo Patrol officers responded to the Puainako Street extension near the 3 mile-marker after receiving a report of a man, estimated to be in his early 50s, who had been struck by a vehicle.
Responding officers determined that the victim had stopped his commercial flatbed delivery truck at the location to secure his cargo. Witnesses observed another vehicle with two male occupants to be in the area at the same time. The delivery driver was subsequently struck by his own vehicle however police are investigating whether the two individuals were involved in the incident. The victim was transported to Hilo Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead. His identity is being withheld pending positive identification and notification of next of kin. An autopsy is scheduled for today to determine the exact cause of death. Area I Criminal Investigation Division and Area I Traffic Enforcement Unit personnel responded to the scene and are continuing this investigation, which is currently classified as a coroner’s inquest. Police are asking for anyone with information on this incident to contact the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311. They can also contact Detective Blaine Morishita of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section, at (808) 961-2385 or via email at Blaine.Morishita@hawaiicounty.gov.