MEDIA RELEASE
An unidentified man was killed Monday (Dec. 13) from injuries he sustained in a motor vehicle/pedestrian collision on the Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19), 0.5 miles west of the 38-mile marker in the Hamakua District.
Responding to a 1:51 a.m. call, Hamakua patrol officers determined a 54-year-old Hilo man was operating a 2009 Peterbuilt tractor-trailer and traveling west on Route 19 when he struck the victim, who stepped out into the roadway.
The unknown man was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 7:10 a.m.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured.
Emergency crews determined there was no rain or fog at the time. Also, the area has no fixed lighting.
Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Police do not believe that speed, alcohol or drugs were factors with the driver of the tractor-trailer.
A toxicology report will be done on the victim to see if he had any alcohol or drugs in his system.
The victim is described as Caucasian, 25-35 years old, 5-foot-10, about 160 pounds with brown hair and a short beard and mustache. He was wearing blue jeans, a black T-shirt, a tan long-sleeved sweater and brown work boots.
Police ask anyone who may know his identity to call Officer Andres Fojas at 961-8889 or the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.
This is the 26th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 22 at this time last year.