A 53-year-old Hilo woman died Saturday from injuries she received when she was hit by a car at the intersection of Hawaii Belt Road (Highway 19) and Pukihae Street in Hilo, police confirmed Monday.
A 53-year-old Hilo woman died Saturday from injuries she received when she was hit by a car at the intersection of Hawaii Belt Road (Highway 19) and Pukihae Street in Hilo, police confirmed Monday.
Responding to a 9:38 p.m. call, South Hilo patrol officers determined that the pedestrian was on the mauka side shoulder of the road fronting the crosswalk when she was struck by a 2005 Kia four-door sedan traveling south being operated by a 37-year-old Volcano man.
The pedestrian was transported to the Hilo Medical Center by fire rescue personnel. She later died at the hospital at 11:58 p.m., police said.
The driver of the Kia and 3-year-old son were not injured.
Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. It is unknown at this time if speed, alcohol or drugs were involved.
The name of the pedestrian is being withheld pending positive identification and notification of the next of kin, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Paul Kim at 333-9708. Police are asking that if anyone was following the Kia into Hilo to call police.
This is the 10th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared to seven at the same time last year.