Hawaii Island police have identified the victim in the traffic-related incident that occurred last week on Puainako Street in Hilo as 62-year-old Allen Y.L. Kealoha of Pahoa.
On Aug. 24 at 6:20 a.m., South Hilo patrol officers responded to the Puainako Street extension near the 3 mile-marker for a report of a man who had reportedly been struck by a vehicle. Responding officers later determined that the victim had stopped his commercial flatbed delivery truck on the side of the road just above the entrance to the Hilo Hillside subdivision. It’s believed the vehicle may have experienced mechanical issues, and that the driver was securing his cargo. Investigators believe the delivery driver was subsequently struck by his own vehicle.
Witnesses reported seeing another vehicle with two male occupants to be in the area around the same time.
Kealoha was transported to the Hilo Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.
The incident is being investigated as a coroner’s inquest and has not been classified as an official traffic fatality.
An autopsy was performed, and based on the known circumstances in this investigation, the forensic pathologist ruled the death as accidental. The final autopsy report is pending.
Potential witnesses are asked to call the police non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.
Those who prefer anonymity may call the Crime Stoppers number at (808) 961-8300.