A female pedestrian has died after being struck by a vehicle in Hilo, Hawaii, prompting local police to launch a negligent homicide investigation into the fatal collision.
According to the Hawai‘i Police Department, officers responded to the incident at approximately 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at the intersection of Kanoelehua Avenue and East Kahaopea Street.
Investigators said a 39-year-old man from Pāhoa was driving a 2023 Kia four-door sedan toward Hilo on Kanoelehua Avenue when his vehicle struck the woman.
Emergency responders found the pedestrian unresponsive at the scene. She was pronounced dead at approximately 7:25 p.m., about 10 minutes after the collision. Authorities have not released her identity pending positive identification and notification of her next of kin.
Police Investigate Fatal Pedestrian Collision
The Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area I Traffic Enforcement Unit is leading the investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Preliminary findings indicate that the woman was crossing the roadway outside a marked crosswalk when she was struck by the vehicle. Police have stated that, based on the information currently available, speed and driver inattention are not believed to have contributed to the collision.
The driver was not injured in the incident.
Authorities have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of the pedestrian’s death. Investigators will continue examining the circumstances surrounding the collision as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Authorities Appeal for Witnesses
Police are asking members of the public who witnessed the collision or have relevant information to assist with the investigation.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Officer Johnathan Rapoza of the Hawai‘i Police Department at 808-961-2339 or by email at Johnathan.Rapoza@hawaiipolice.gov.
People who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Big Island Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.
Investigators say information from witnesses could help clarify the events leading up to the fatal crash.
Pedestrian Safety Remains a Concern
The incident highlights the risks pedestrians face when crossing busy roads, particularly at locations without marked pedestrian crossings.
Road safety authorities generally encourage pedestrians to use designated crosswalks where available and drivers to remain alert for people crossing the road. However, the precise circumstances of individual collisions must be established through investigation.
Police have not released the victim’s name, and the investigation remains ongoing.
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