Hawai‘i Island police are investigating a single-vehicle collision that left one man dead.

On Friday, January 6, Hāmākua patrol officers determined that a Honokaʻa husband and wife were traveling north on Kalaniai Road in a 2015 Subaru SUV, when the operator lost consciousness and veered off the roadway into a pasture on private property. The vehicle sustained minor damage from the uneven terrain.

The Subaru operator, identified as 77-year-old Robert Cawley, was unresponsive at the scene and transported to Hilo Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

The 75-year-old female passenger was not injured in the collision.

Police currently believe that this is a medical related incident, however further investigation will be conducted relative to any additional contributing factors to this collision.

The East Hawaiʻi Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest and will continue their investigation into this traffic collision. Police are asking for anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who has information about it to contact Officer Clifford Antonio at (808) 961-2339 or via email at Clifford.Antonio@HawaiiCounty.gov.