88-year-old Theodor Lai, Sr. died following a single-vehicle collision yesterday afternoon at the Kealakekua Ranch Center parking lot.

Hawai‘i Island police are seeking the driver of the suspect vehicle, a white 1999-2002 single-cab Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup truck with a black tube-type bed rack and a silver utility bed tool box.

Hawaiʻi County police determined that Lai was involved in a verbal argument with the pick up truck driver. As the truck was driving away, Lai continued to yell at the driver while possibly holding on to the vehicle. At some point, Lai was possibly run over by pickup truck which left the parking lot in an unknown direction.

Lai was transported to Kona Community Hospital for initial treatment and later pronounced dead. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

Police are asking for the public to check their video surveillance near Kealakekua Ranch Center. between 12:25 p.m. and 12:35 p.m on Sunday, August 6. for any vehicles matching the description mentioned above.

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 Dayson Taniguchi at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229, or email at dayson.taniguchi@hawaiicounty.gov.