A 25-year-old Ocean View man died after he was struck by a sport-utility vehicle Sunday evening in Kailua-Kona.
A 25-year-old Ocean View man died after he was struck by a sport-utility vehicle Sunday evening in Kailua-Kona.
The victim has been positively identified as Nelsin Santos.
Officers responding to an 8:30 p.m. call determined that a 24-year-old Kailua-Kona man was driving a 2016 Toyota 4Runner west on Kaiminani Drive when hit hit Santos at the corner of Ane Keohokalole Highway. Police say Santos was walking in the westbound lane of Kaiminani when he was struck.
Santos was taken to the Kona Community Hospital, where be was pronounced dead at 9:27 p.m.
A negligent homicide investigation has been opened and an autopsy has been ordered. Witnesses are asked to call Officer Justin Hooser at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229, or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
Santos’ death is the 22nd official traffic fatality this year compared to 15 at this time last year. There are also four vehicle-related deaths in 2017 police don’t count toward the official total because two occurred on private property and the other two in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.