4-15-24 Puna Woman Charged in Fatal Pedestrian Accident

Hawai‘i Police Department
Traffic Enforcement Unit
Sergeant Jeremy Riddle
Phone: 961-2339
Report No. 24-034585

Media Release

Hawai‘i Island police are investigating a fatal pedestrian traffic collision that claimed the life of a 57-year-old Hilo man.  The accident occurred in Hilo, on Saturday evening, April 13, 2024, on East Kawili Street just east of Manono Street.  

Responding to a traffic collision at 8:18 p.m., police learned that a 2006 Honda SUV traveling east on East Kawili Street, struck a pedestrian and proceeded to leave the scene, continuing toward Kanoelehua Avenue. The Honda then made a right turn onto Kanoelehua and struck a pedestrian crossing signal prior to heading south bound. Shortly after, the Honda was located at the intersection of Kanoelehua Avenue and Kawailani Street.

The pedestrian, identified as Eric Mabuni, a 57-year-old man from Hilo, was located unresponsive at the scene. He was transported to Hilo Medical Center and then flown to Queens Medical Center due to the severity of his injuries. While at Queens Medical Center he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at 3:26 p.m. on Monday, April 15th. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

The operator of the Honda SUV, 25-year-old Sienna Tavares-Brown, of Pahoa, was not injured as a result of the collision. She was initially arrested for first-degree negligent injury and operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant.

There were two juvenile passengers located within the Honda SUV who were not injured as a result of the traffic collision. Both passengers were determined to be related to the operator and have been released to family members.

The East Hawai‘i Traffic Enforcement Unit responded to the scene and continued the investigation. After conferring with the East Hawai‘i County Prosecutors Office, The East Hawai‘i Traffic Enforcement unit has charged Sienna Tavares-Brown with the following offenses:

• Negligent Homicide in the First Degree,
• Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of an Intoxicant,
• Operating a vehicle after license revoked for OVUII,
• Leaving the scene of an accident involving death,
• Leaving the scene of an accident involving damage to property,
• 2 counts of Reckless Endangering in the second degree,
• 2 counts of Child Passenger Restraints

Bail has been set at $158,000.00 and Sienna Tavares-Brown is currently being held at the Hilo Police Station pending her initial court appearance.

If anyone has additional information regarding this collision they may contact Officer Jerome Duarte at (808) 961-2339, or via email at Jerome.Duarte@hawaiicounty.gov.

This is the 15th traffic fatality of 2024 to date, compared to six traffic fatalities this time last year.