Hilo man in custody after bicyclist killed in traffic collision
Police have arrested a 70-year-old Hilo man on suspicion of first-degree negligent homicide following a traffic collision in Hilo that killed an elderly woman Tuesday morning.
At 9:51 a.m. Tuesday, officers responded to a reported traffic collision involving a motor vehicle and a bicyclist on Akolea Road just south of Waianuenue Avenue.
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Police investigators determined that a 2016 Toyota Tacoma was traveling south on Akolea Road when it struck an orange Recumbent Trike, which was also traveling south in the southbound lane.
According to police, the driver of the Tacoma, later identified as 70-year-old Carlton Inada of Hilo, left the scene and proceeded to his residence where he notified police that he had struck a cyclist on Akolea Road.
The operator of the Recumbent Trike has been identified as 79-year-old Barbara Klein of Hilo. She was unresponsive at the scene and transported to the Hilo Medical Center via ambulance where she was pronounced dead at 10:56 a.m.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death.
Inada was located at his residence within his vehicle. He was initially arrested for first-degree negligent homicide and leaving the scene of an accident. He remains in custody at the Hilo Police Station while officers continue to investigate.
Police are asking potential witnesses to contact Officer Jerome Duarte at (808) 961-2339 or Jerome.Duarte@hawaiicounty.gov. Those who prefer to remain anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
Klein’s death is the 15th official traffic fatality of 2023 on Hawaii Island, compared to 27 at this time last year.
