Police working to ID pedestrian killed in hit-and-run crash

KAILUA-KONA — A pedestrian was killed in an apparent hit-and-run collision early Thursday on Hualalai Road in Kailua Village.

Responding to a 12:51 a.m. call, Hawaii Police Department officers determined that the currently unidentified Kailua-Kona man was struck in the eastbound- (or mauka-bound) lane of Hualalai Road near the exit for the Kailua-Kona Public Library and the Kona Farmers Market by an unknown vehicle.

Police said Thursday it was not yet known what time the victim, whom is estimated to be in his 30s, was struck by the vehicle.

However, preliminary investigation indicates the pedestrian was lying on the roadway in a dimly lit area when he was run over by the vehicle, police said. The victim was transported to Kona Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 4:07 a.m.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

The victim is described as in his 30s and of Polynesian, possibly Marshallese or Micronesian, descent. He had a dark complexion and stood between 5 feet 4 inches and 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighed between 140 to 160 pounds.

Police are asking for the public’s help identifying the man, who may or may not have had a permanent address.

Police said the vehicle suspected to be involved in the collision is possibly a truck or sport utility vehicle (SUV) because of the injuries suffered by the victim. Damage to the vehicle would be confined to the undercarriage.

Police are seeking for any video surveillance in the area that may have recorded useful information.

The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent homicide investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact Officer Jason Foxworthy at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229.

This is the 10th traffic fatality this year compared to 11 at this time last year.