A 38-year-old man died Wednesday afternoon after being struck by a large roller compactor at a home in Keauhou, according to the Hawaii County Fire and Police departments.
Police identified the man as Donny Loando, of Holualoa.
Responding to the 1:08 p.m. report, fire rescue personnel found the 38-year-old trapped beneath the compactor that was partially on its side after apparently crashing into a carport at a single-family home in Keauhou off of Highway 180.
Police said Loando was operating the equipment while constructing a private driveway when the compactor rolled backward down a steep slope and crashed into a neighboring residence’s carport. Loando was apparently thrown from the vehicle.
Loando was found awake, alert and complaining of pain to his entire body, according to the fire department, which noted personnel rapidly extricated him because of the compactor’s unstable position.
Loando was treated by medics and then transported to Kona Community Hospital in critical condition. Police said he was pronounced dead at 4:15 p.m.
No one at the neighboring residence was injured, according to police.
The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Anyone with additional information on the incident should call Officer Christopher Kapua-Allison at 326-4646, ext. 229.