Hawai‘i Police Department
Traffic Enforcement Unit – Area I
Sergeant Jeremy Riddle
Phone: (808) 961-2339
Report No.: 23-004620
Media Release
Hawai’i Island police continue their investigation of a traffic collision that occurred the morning of Saturday, January 14, 2023 in Kea’au involving a vehicle and a pedestrian that left one man dead.
The pedestrian has been identified as John Venrick, 58 year-old male from Mountain View.
On Saturday, January 14, 2023, at 5:09 a.m., Puna patrol officers responded to a single vehicle major traffic collision on Highway 130, in the vicinity of the posted 3-Mile Marker, where a blue-colored Acura sedan was traveling Pahoa bound on the Number 2 lane. It struck a pedestrian who was on foot in the vicinity between the Number 1 and Number 2 lane of the Pahoa bound section of the highway. It was noted that the pedestrian was wearing dark clothing and there were no roadway lights in the area.
An autopsy was conducted however the results are still pending at this time to determine the exact cause of death.
The East Hawaii Traffic Enforcement Unit continue their Coroner’s Inquest Investigation. If anyone who may have witnessed the accident or has information to contact Officer Jerome Duarte at 961-2339 or via email at Jerome.Duarte@HawaiiCounty.gov.