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Police launched a negligent homicide investigation after a 21-year-old male pedestrian was killed in a traffic crash Friday evening in Kurtistown.

The victim has been identified as 21-year-old Maxwell Robertson Sherwood of Keaau.

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Officers responding to a 7:22 p.m. call determined that a 2010 Jeep Wrangler sport-utility vehicle driven by 30-year-old Dallas Brooks, was traveling east on Orchidland Drive near the intersection of 36th Avenue, when it struck Sherwood, who was on the roadway and not in a marked crosswalk.

A witness told officers that prior to the impact, there were vehicles that had to swerve to avoid hitting Sherwood, who was in the middle of the roadway.

Sherwood was taken by ambulance to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 7:48 p.m. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

Brooks wasn’t injured as a result of the collision. He was arrested on suspicion of DUI and first-degree negligent homicide. He remains in custody at the Hilo Police Station pending further investigation.

At this time, police believe that alcohol is a factor in the crash.

Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact Officer Joshua Rodby-Tomas at (808) 961-2339 or Joshua.Rodby-Tomas@hawaiicounty.gov. Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

Sherwood’s death is the 13th official traffic fatality of 2025, compared to 16 traffic fatalities this same time last year.