The Hawai‘i County Police Department reports that the classification of a fatal New Year’s Day traffic crash in Waikoloa has been changed after the coroner determined the 74-year-old driver died as a result of a medical condition rather than injuries sustained in the crash.

The collision occurred near the intersection of Eleele Street and Haena Street. At the time, the preliminary police investigation indicated that a blue 2019 Mercedes-Benz 300 SUV operated by 74-year-old Ray Donnell Worrells was traveling south on Eleele Street when it crossed over the double-solid yellow lines, struck a rock wall, and overturned. Worrells was transported to the North Hawai‘i Community Hospital for medical treatment and was pronounced deceased on January 2.

Following an autopsy, the coroner’s findings confirmed that his passing was not directly related to injuries sustained in the crash. As a result, the official traffic fatality count for 2025 will be adjusted to five instead of the previously reported six.