Pedestrian involved in volcano accident identified; death ruled a suicide: Big Island Now

The man involved in a fatal motor vehicle-pedestrian crash April 25 in Volcano has been identified as Collins Kaholo, 44, of Volcano.

His death was also ruled a suicide.

Officers responding to the 12:25 p.m. call learned that a 2012 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by a 52-year-old man was heading north on Highway 11 when it struck Kaholo at the intersection of Ali' i Koa. Multiple witnesses confirmed that Kaholo was standing near a stop sign before running across the road and in front of the truck.

Kaholo, who was unresponsive at the scene, was transported to Hilo Benioff Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 4:17 p.m.

The driver of the 2012 Chevrolet pickup truck was not injured.

The Hawaii Police Department's Zone I Traffic Enforcement Unit responded to the scene and continued its investigation. An autopsy was performed and the pathologist determined – based on the totality of circumstances surrounding the investigation – that Kaholo's death was the result of suicide.

For this reason, Kaholo's death will not be included in the annual death count.

The total number of road deaths so far in 2024 stands at 18, up from 9 at the same time last year.