Hawai‘i Police Department
Traffic Enforcement Unit – Area I
Sergeant Jeremy Riddle
Phone: (808) 961-2339
Report No.: 23-047422
Media Release (Update #1)
Hawai‘i Island police are continuing to investigate a fatal hit and run collision that occurred on Sunday evening, May 14, 2023, in the northbound section of Highway 11, fronting Glenwood Park, in Volcano. The driver involved in the collision, 34-year-old Patrick Murphy of Mountain View was initially arrested for:
- Negligent Homicide in the First Degree
- Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of an Intoxicant
- Accidents Involving Death or Serious Bodily Injury
- Duty to Give Information or Render Aid
After conferring with the County Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday afternoon, May 16, Murphy was released pending further investigation.
Responding to a 9:45 p.m. report of a traffic collision on Highway 11 in Volcano Sunday evening, Puna patrol officers contacted Murphy who was performing CPR on an unresponsive male in the grassy area of the park, 20 feet from the northbound lane of Highway 11.
The 40-year-old male pedestrian was transported to Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 10:46 p.m. Sunday night. The victim remains unidentified at this time, pending positive identification and notification of next of kin. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
Police investigating the traffic collision at the time determined that Patrick Murphy was traveling north on Highway 11 in a 2003 Toyota Tacoma when he struck the male pedestrian who was in the northbound shoulder lane. Initially, Murphy suspected he struck a pig and continued north on Highway 11 to the area of Lehuanani, Mountain View.
Patrick Murphy then proceeded to an acquittance’s residence prior to returning to the scene to identify what he had struck. Upon realizing he had struck a man, Patrick Murphy contacted 911 via phone and started CPR prior to the arrival of emergency services personnel.
The East Hawaii Traffic Enforcement Unit is continuing their investigation into this traffic collision. Police are asking for anyone who may have witnessed the accident or has information to contact Officer Jerome Duarte at (808) 961-2339 or via email at Jerome.Duarte@HawaiiCounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
This is the ninth fatal traffic collision of 2023 compared to 15 fatal traffic collisions during this same time period last year. These statistics are a correction of the previous media release, which stated there were eight fatalities so far this year with 16 fatal traffic collisions this time last year.