16-year-old Samuel Mwarey of Hilo, who was the pedestrian in a recent officer-involved motor vehicle/pedestrian collision, died yesterday at Hilo Medical Center.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death. On January 5, an on-duty Hawai‘i County Police Department officer was operating a marked HPD 2008 Ford four-door sedan when it struck Mwarey, who walking in the middle of the road. The vehicle was not operating in emergency response mode and did have the blue pilot light illuminated. At the time of the collision there was minimal lighting in the area and it was raining. Due to the Mwarey’s death, this case has been changed to a negligent homicide investigation. The officer, who was not injured, remains on administrative leave pending investigation. The Office of Professional Standards is continuing its internal inquiry as a result of the collision. Anyone with information regarding this incident can contact Officer Laurence Davis at (808) 961-2339 or via email at Laurence.Davis@hawaiicounty.gov.