Police seek driver in fatal crash

Hawaii County police are looking for the driver of a Chevrolet pickup or Blazer involved in a fatal hit-and-run crash Friday night in South Kona. Police are also seeking help in identifying the victim, a man in his 30s or 40s.

The crash happened at 8:13 p.m, less than half a mile south of the 108-mile marker on Hawaii Belt Road in Captain Cook. The driver of the vehicle apparently crossed the center line while traveling north and hit the man, who was walking in the same direction on the makai side of the road, police said. The driver did not stop.

Firefighters took the man to Kona Community Hospital, where he died at 9:51 p.m.

Police said the pedestrian is 35 to 45 years old, 5 feet 5 to 5 feet 6 inches tall, 140 to 150 pounds with short black hair, a mustache and beard, and a tattoo, possibly of a dragon, on his right arm. He was wearing a yellow tank top and dark khaki shorts and carrying a maroon California Pak bag.

Police have ordered an autopsy and opened a case for negligent homicide and fleeing the scene of a crash.

Police believe the vehicle was possibly silver, between the 1998 and 2002 models. The vehicle should have extensive front end damage and be missing the Chevrolet emblem and parts of the black grille and chrome trim. The right side headlight assembly should also be damaged.

Police urge anyone with information about the vehicle or the pedestrian to call Officer Larry Flowers at (808) 326-4646 ext. 229 or the police at (808) 935-3311.

Anonymous tips can be made by calling CrimeStoppers at (808) 961-8300 in Hilo or (808) 329-8181 in Kona.

Pregnant woman rescued from hike

Federal firefighters rescued a 33-year-old pregnant woman Saturday after she fell about 30 feet and broke her leg while hiking on Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay.

Battalion Chief Victor Flint, of the Federal Fire Department, said firefighters received a call at 9:07 a.m. to help the woman, who was injured in a fall.

Two fire engines and the department’s advanced life support unit reached the woman in 10 minutes, he said.

The firefighters took her to the Queen’s Medical Center.

According to fire department radio transmissions, the woman, who is seven months’ pregnant, was on a ledge that was about 30 feet above the ground and was trying to get to a lower ledge when she fell, bounced off the lower ledge, and landed on the ground, the reports said.

The woman did not lose consciousness and told firefighters that she could feel the baby move.

Aiea man turns self in after dispute

A 43-year-old Aiea man turned himself in after threatening his wife and children with an ax during an argument on Thursday, police said.

The man terrorized his 43-year-old wife and children about 6:30 p.m. in Aiea, police said. Officers couldn’t find the man after responding, but he turned himself in to the Pearl City police substation Friday night.

He was booked on suspicion of first-degree terroristic threatening.