Hawaiʻi County police have positively identified 40-year-old Melissa Baker Heldele of Kailua-Kona as the woman who died following a single vehicle collision on Sunday, January 9.
Police determined that a maroon 2010 Honda Ridgeline pickup truck was heading south on Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway when it struck Heldele as she was crossing the road. She was then transported to Kona Community Hospital where she was later pronounced dead. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
The driver of the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck, a 54-year-old Pa‘auilo man, was not injured in the collision.
Police do not believe that speed or impairment are factors in the collision.
The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent homicide investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Adam Roberg at (808) 326-4646 ext. 229 or email at adam.roberg@hawaiicounty.gov.
