Police Reclassify Hilo Traffic Incident as Negligent Homicide After Pedestrian’s Death

Hawai‘i Island police have reclassified an investigation from negligent injury to negligent homicide following the death of a male pedestrian involved in a traffic collision in Hilo, on Saturday evening, August 2, 2025.

At 10:04 p.m., police responded to a report of a vehicle striking a pedestrian on Kuawa Street near the intersection with Manono Street. Investigators determined a 2013 Toyota Corolla sedan, operated by 56-year-old Robester Annes, of Hilo, was traveling east on Kuawa Street when it struck a male pedestrian who was in the roadway but not in a marked crosswalk.

The pedestrian was transported to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center and later medevacked to Queen’s Medical Center on O‘ahu for further treatment. On Friday, Sept. 12, at 10:21 a.m., he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death. His identity is being withheld pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.

Annes was not injured in the crash. He was initially arrested on August 2 for negligent injury and operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant. After conferring with the Hawai‘i County Prosecutor’s Office, he was released pending further investigation.

The East Hawai‘i Traffic Enforcement Unit is continuing the investigation. At this time, police believe that alcohol and inattention were factors in the crash.

Police ask anyone with information regarding this collision to please contact Officer Johnathan Rapoza at (808) 961-2339 or via email at Johnathan.Rapoza@hawaiipolice.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300. This is the 17th traffic fatality of 2025 as compared to 22 traffic fatalities this same time last year.