Hawai‘i Police Department
Traffic Enforcement Unit
Sergeant Thomas Koyanagi
Phone: (808) 326-4646 ext. 229
Report No. 20-000206
Media Release
A 42-year-old Kamuela woman died following a single-vehicle collision on Wednesday (January 1, 2020) on Kawaihae Road near the intersection of Puu Opelu Road.
The 42-year-old female has been identified as Sylvia Elizabeth Ravaglia.
Responding to a 3:08 p.m. call, police determined that a 34-year-old male from Kamuela was operating a gray 1990 Toyota pickup truck when he crossed the double solid yellow line and struck the pedestrian on the shoulder of the westbound lane. The 42-year-old female was transported to the Kona Community Hospital where she was later pronounced dead at 7:44 p.m. (January 1, 2020).
The driver of the Toyota pickup was not injured in the collision. He was later arrested for Negligent Homicide.
Police do not believe that alcohol was a factor in the collision.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
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 Jason Foxworthy at (808) 326-4646 ext. 229.