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Pedestrian struck and killed in Waimea early Sunday morning (Feb 7)

MEDIA RELEASE

An unidentified man died following a single-vehicle crash early Sunday morning (February 7) in the Waimea area of the South Kohala District.

Responding to a 1:13 a.m. call, police determined that a 2010 Nissan Frontier pickup truck had been traveling west on Kawaihae Road near the Door of Faith Church when it veered across the highway and was involved in a collision with an unidentified male pedestrian who had been walking eastbound on the east shoulder of the roadway. The unidentified man sustained critical injuries from the collision and was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:20 a.m.

The operator of the truck, 27-year-old BertJim Badua of Kapaʻau was arrested on suspicion of first-degree negligent homicide and released pending further investigation.

Police believe that alcohol and speed were factors in this collision.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death and to determine the identity of the unidentified man.

Officers from the Traffic Enforcement Unit have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to call Officer Kimo Keliipaakaua at 326-4646, ext. 229. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300.

This is the first traffic fatality this year compared with one at this time last year.

UPDATED (4:37 p.m. on 2/10/2016)

An autopsy conducted Wednesday (February 10) determined that a man who died Sunday (February 7) after being involved in a one-vehicle/pedestrian traffic collision on Kawaihae Road died from his injuries sustained in the accident.

He has been identified as 38-year-old Jacob Freebairn of Kamuela.

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