MEDIA RELEASE

A 69-year-old Hilo man died Friday (July 15) at an Oahu hospital from injuries he sustained in a motor vehicle-pedestrian collision at the intersection of KÄ«lauea Avenue and Ohea Street in Hilo on May 25.

The victim was identified as Alexander Ortiz of a Hilo address.

Responding to a 9:03 p.m. call, South Hilo patrol officers determined that Ortiz was not in a crosswalk and was walking in an east-to-west direction when he was struck by a 2006 Toyota four-door sedan traveling south and being operated by a 61-year-old Hilo woman.

Fire/Rescue personnel took Ortiz to Hilo Medical Center. He was later flown to The Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu, where he died on July 15 at 9:49 a.m.

The driver of the vehicle was not injured.

Police do not believe speed, alcohol or drugs contributed to the crash.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have reclassified a negligent injury case to negligent homicide. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

Police ask anyone with information about this case to call Officer Casey Cabral at 961-8889.

This is the 13th traffic fatality on the Hawaiʻi Island this year compared with 13 at this time last year.