Full Notification

Hawai‘i Police Department
Traffic Enforcement Unit
Sergeant Jeremy Riddle
Phone: (808) 961-2391
Report No.: 21-002525

Media Release

An unidentified male died following a single vehicle collision in Hawai‘ian Paradise Park subdivision on Saturday afternoon January 9, 2021.  

Officers responding to the 4:16 p.m. traffic collision at the intersection of Maku’u Drive and 2^nd Avenue, determined that a 2020 Jeep Wrangler, with a removable top, was traveling east (makai) on Maku’u Drive at a high rate of speed when it crossed the center line at the 2^nd Avenue intersection and struck a utility pole on the west bound shoulder. The operator was ejected from the Jeep as it flipped and came to a rest on its roof.

The driver, who was the sole occupant of the Jeep, has not been identified at this time. He was unresponsive at the scene and transported to Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 7:05 p.m. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

Police investigating the traffic collision have determined that speed was a factor in this traffic collision and that the driver was not wearing a seatbelt. At this time, police have not determined if alcohol or drugs were factors in the collision.

This is the first fatal traffic collision of 2021 compared to one fatal traffic collision during this time last year.

The East Hawaii Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation, which is pending. Police ask that anyone who may have witnessed the accident or who has information to contact Officer Blayne Matsui at (808) 961-2339 or via email [email protected]. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 in Hilo.