Hawai‘i Police Department
Traffic Enforcement Unit
Sergeant Thomas Koyanagi
Phone: (808) 326-4646, Ext. 229
Report No.: 23-023218
Media Release
A 65-year-old man who died following a single-vehicle collision on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, near the intersection of Hinalani Street and Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway in North Kona, has been positively identified as Kevin Patrick McHugh of Kailua-Kona.
Responding to a 10:19 p.m. call, police determined that a white 2021 Kia Forte was heading west (makai) on Hinalani Street when it struck a utility pole near the merge lane on the Queen Kaahumanu Highway. The driver showed no indication of injuries after the collision and was released from the scene following the incident. The following day, on Wednesday, March 8, McHugh was found unresponsive and was transported to the Kona Community Hospital where he was later pronounced dead at 2:40 p.m.
An autopsy determined that the cause of death was due to the traffic collision the night prior to the man’s death.
The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest 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. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
This is the 7th traffic fatality this year compared to 12 at this time last year.
