Hawaii Island police are investigating a single-vehicle fatal collision in Hilo Saturday morning that killed a 54-year-old Volcano man. The crash occurred in the Hilo-bound section of Highway 11, in the area of the 5 mile-marker near Ikaika Street.
Officers responding to the collision at 9:17 a.m. Saturday determined a green 1993 Mazda sedan was seen weaving in the outer lane while traveling northbound on Highway 11. The sedan’s driver then veered off into the right shoulder and clipped the end of a guardrail. The car continued to roll into the grassy shoulder, then struck a telephone pole before coming to a stop.
The driver and sole occupant of the Mazda sedan was unresponsive at the scene. He was taken by ambulance to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 9:59 a.m.
Police are withholding the man’s identity pending notification of next of kin. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death. Police think speed is a primary factor at this time. Further investigation will be conducted relative to any contributing factors to this collision.
Potential witnesses are asked to contact Officer Jerome Duarte at (808) 961-2339 or Jerome.Duarte@HawaiiCounty.gov. Those who anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
This is the 34th official traffic fatality of 2022 compared to 25 traffic fatalities during this same time period last year.