Police have identified a 75-year-old Hilo man who died following a five-vehicle collision Tuesday afternoon in Hilo as Franklin Dacanay.
Officers responding to a 2:09 p.m. traffic collision determined Dacanay was traveling west on Ainaloa in a 1998 Toyota Tacoma and over-corrected his steering while negotiating a curve. That, police said, caused the truck to cross the double-solid-yellow line and sideswipe an eastbound 2005 Dodge Ram.
The Tacoma continued west in the eastbound lane and crossed the Mikokoi Street intersection, subsequently crashing through a fence and into a 2014 Dodge Ram, parked unattended at a residence. This caused the 2014 Dodge Ram to collide with a 2003 Acura MDX, which then collided with a 2001 Toyota Avalon, all of which were parked unattended next to each other.
Dacanay wasn’t wearing his seat belt and was unresponsive at the scene. He was taken to Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 2:54 pm. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
The driver of the 2005 Dodge Ram, a 52-year-old Hilo woman, and her two passengers did not report any injuries at this time.
Police have determined that speed and not wearing a seat belt are factors in this traffic collision. It’s yet undetermined if alcohol, drugs, or a medical condition are factors in this investigation at this time.
Dacanay’s death is the seventh official traffic fatality this year.
Police are asking for anyone who may have witnessed the accident or has information to contact Officer Clifford Antonio at 961-2339 or via email Clifford.Antonio@hawaiicounty.gov.