An unidentified man died following a single-vehicle crash early Sunday morning in the Waimea area.
An unidentified man died following a single-vehicle crash early Sunday morning in the Waimea area.
Officers responding to a 1:13 a.m. call determined 2010 Nissan Frontier pickup truck was westbound on Kawaihae Road near Door of Faith Church when it veered across the highway and struck an unidentified male pedestrian who was walking east on the road’s shoulder.
The man was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:20 a.m.
The operator of the truck, 27-year-old BertJim Badua of Kapaau was arrested on suspicion of first-degree negligent homicide and DUI and released pending further investigation.
Police think that alcohol and speed were factors in this collision.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death and to determine the identity of the unidentified man.
Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call Officer Kimo Keliipaakaua at 326-4646, ext. 229 or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
This is the first traffic fatality this year compared to one at this time last year.