Hawai‘i Island police are investigating a fatal Hilo pedestrian traffic collision that claimed the life of a 57-year-old man.

On April 13, responding officers learned that a 2006 Honda SUV traveling east on East Kawili Street struck a pedestrian and proceeded to leave the scene, continuing toward Kanoelehua Avenue. The Honda then made a right turn onto Kanoelehua and struck a pedestrian, positively identified as 57 year-old Eric Mabuni of Hilo, crossing at a signal prior to heading south.

Mabuni was transported to Hilo Medical Center and then flown to Queens Medical Center due to the severity of his injuries. While at Queens Medical Center he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

The operator of the Honda SUV, 25-year-old Sienna Tavares-Brown, of Pahoa, was not injured as a result of the collision. She was initially arrested for first-degree negligent injury and operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant.

There were two juvenile passengers located within the Honda SUV who were not injured as a result of the traffic collision. Both passengers were determined to be related to the operator and have been released to family members.

After conferring with the East Hawai‘i County Prosecutors office, The East Hawai‘i Traffic Enforcement unit charged Sienna Tavares-Brown with the following offenses:

• Negligent Homicide in the First Degree,
• Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of an Intoxicant,
• Operating a vehicle after license revoked for OVUII,
• Leaving the scene of an accident involving death,
• Leaving the scene of an accident involving damage to property,
• 2 counts of Reckless Endangering in the second degree,
• 2 counts of Child Passenger Restraints

Tavares Brown’s bail was set at $158,000.00. She is currently being held at the Hilo Police Station pending her initial court appearance.

Anyone with information regarding this collision is urged to contact Officer Jerome Duarte at (808) 961-2339, or via email at Jerome.Duarte@hawaiicounty.gov.