Media Release

A 33-year-old Hilo man died Friday (March 13) from injuries he sustained in a single motor vehicle crash on Amaulu Road 1.2 miles west of Wainaku Avenue in Hilo.

The victim was identified as Jaime Rain Church of Hilo.

Responding to a 2:27 a.m. call, Hilo patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a Dodge ram 2500 pickup truck and travelling west on Amaulu Road when he lost control, ran off the roadway and struck a tree.

The victim was not wearing a seatbelt.

The victim was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 5:20 a.m.

Police have determined that speed and alcohol were involved.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a coroner’s inquest case and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Police ask anyone with information on this crash to call Officer Robert Pauole at 961-8119.

Because this crash occurred on a private road, the death is not counted toward the island’s official traffic fatality count.