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The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 7:38 p.m., Sunday, September 30, 2007

Big Island pedestrian, 97, killed in Pepeekeo

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

A 97-year-old Pepe'ekeo man was killed today on the Big Island after being struck by a van while crossing Hawai'i Belt Road near Kulaimano Road.

The victim was identified by police as Tadashi Yamashita of Pepe'ekeo.

Police said Yamashita was struck at 2:09 p.m. by a 2002 Mazda MPV van driven by a Hilo woman, 23.

It appears the pedestrian was not in a crosswalk and speed, alcohol and/or drugs on the part of the driver are not apparent factors, police said.

No other injuries were reported.

The death is the Big Island's 30th traffic fatality of the year as compared to 29 on the same date in 2006. Pedestrians have accounted for three of the 2007 traffic fatalities.