Man arrested following fatal Hamakua crash

Advertiser Staff

HILO, Hawaii — Police arrested a Hamakua man on suspicion of drunken driving after a vehicle struck and killed a 55-year-old man walking along Mamalahoa Highway early today.

The victim was identified as Johnelle William Alfonso of Honoka'a. Police said Alfonso was walking on the mauka side of the highway near Tex Drive In and Restaurant in Hamakua about 2:30 a.m. when he was hit by a Hilo-bound vehicle.

Alfonso was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 6:42 a.m.

The 47-year-old driver was arrested for investigation of drunken driving and two traffic violations, and may face additional charges.

It was the eighth traffic death on the Big Island this year, compared to 14 at the same time last year.