The boyfriend of a pedestrian killed Tuesday night in lower Puna said she “launched herself into oncoming traffic,” according to a Fire Department statement.
The victim, described as a woman in her late 30s, was walking toward Kalapana with her boyfriend on Pahoa-Kalapana Road (Highway 130) when struck by a southbound sedan near Launahele Road.
The 40-year-old driver, who was uninjured, told authorities she was driving at about 55 miles an hour at the time of the collision. Her 2006 Ford sustained front-end damage and a shattered windshield.
The call for assistance was received at 9:42 p.m.
Police closed Highway 130 south of Leilani Avenue for investigation until about 4 a.m. today. Kalapana-bound traffic was re-routed through Leilani Avenue to Pohoiki Road.
The identity of the victim, who was pronounced dead at 10:31 p.m. Tuesday at Hilo Medical Center, has not been released pending notification of relatives, police said.
Her death is the fourth traffic fatality of the year on the Big Island, the same as at this time last year.
Police do not believe speed or alcohol were factors in the crash and an autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call Officer Clarence Acob at 961-2329 or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.