MEDIA RELEASE

A 60-year-old Hilo man died Monday (December 12) at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu from injuries he sustained in a motor vehicle/pedestrian collision on Sunday (December 11) on Waiānuenue Avenue in Hilo.

The pedestrian was identified as Theodore S. Riotutar, of Hilo.

Responding to a 6:42 p.m. call, South Hilo patrol officers determined that Riotutar was crossing Waiānunenue Avenue in a northerly direction fronting the Hilo Methodist Church when he was struck by a 2007 Pontiac two-door sedan traveling east and being driven by a 50-year-old Hilo woman.

The pedestrian was not in a crosswalk.

Fire Department personnel took Riotutar to Hilo Medical Center. He was later flown to The Queen’s Medical Center in critical condition. He died Monday at 6:11 p.m.

Police do not suspect alcohol, drugs or speed in connection with the driver but the pedestrian was under the influence of alcohol.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Police ask that anyone with information on this case call Officer Tuckloy Aurello at 961-8119.

This is the 22nd traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 25 at this time last year.