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7-22-24 Negligent Homicide Investigation Underway After Early Morning Pedestrian Fatality in Kailua-Kona

July 22, 2024 |
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Media Releases

Hawai‘i Police Department
Traffic Enforcement Unit
Sergeant Thomas Koyanagi
Phone: (808) 326-4646, Ext. 229
Report No. 24-066706

Media Release

Correction: Media release was updated at 3:55 p.m. on July 22, 2024, to reflect correct age of Subaru driver, as well as his name and mug shot.

Hawai’i Island police launched a negligent homicide investigation after a 38-year-old Kailua-Kona male pedestrian died in a single-vehicle collision in North Kona on Monday morning, July 22, 2024.

Responding to a call at 3:54 a.m., police determined that a green 2015 Subaru Forester was traveling northbound on Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway, (Highway 19), just south of the Kaloko/Honokōhau intersection, when it crossed over the white fog line (mauka side) and struck the pedestrian. The driver, later identified as 34-year-old Garrett Duran of Kailua-Kona, abandoned his vehicle and fled the area but was later located a block away from the crash scene and subsequently arrested.

The pedestrian was transported to the Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4:59 a.m. He has not been positively identified pending notification of next of kin.

Duran was arrested for:

  • Operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant (OVUII)
  • Negligent homicide
  • Manslaughter
  • Inattention to driving
  • Failure to render aid 

Duran is currently being held at the Kealakehe Police Station while the investigation continues. 

The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent homicide 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 21st traffic fatality this year compared to 10 at this time last year.

Unsolved Homicides

Hawaiʻi Police Department believes every victim deserves justice, and that the deceased victim’s family, friends, and community deserve closure.

Please take a moment to review the Unsolved Homicides summaries and if you have any information pertaining to any of these cases, please submit a tip, email us or call our Unsolved Homicides Division at (808) 961-2380 or Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300. Thank you for your help!

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