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Hit-and-run victim in Makawao identified

The Maui News

WAILUKU — A pedestrian who died after he was struck by a vehicle in a hit-and-run collision in Makawao this month was identified as 71-year-old Abraham Benson, police said.

He was walking on the makai shoulder of Makani Road when he was hit by the westbound vehicle at about 7 p.m. Feb. 9, police said. The collision occurred east of Mokuahi Street.

The pedestrian had just gotten off the bus with his landlord, and they were walking home when he was struck by the vehicle, acting Assistant Chief Everett Ferreira said at a Maui Police Commission meeting Wednesday.

He said the landlord provided information about the vehicle, which didn’t stop and fled the scene. Based on the information, officer Ashley Gandauli had an idea of who owned the vehicle, Ferreira said.

Later that evening, the vehicle was found parked in front of a residence on Keikilani Street in Pukalani, he said.

Police said a 66-year-old man was identified as the driver and was arrested, then released pending further investigation.

At the crash scene, police at first couldn’t find a pulse on the pedestrian, Ferreira said. He said medics and firefighters were able to revive the man before he was transported by ambulance to Maui Memorial Medical Center, where he died of injuries suffered in the collision.

Police impounded the vehicle, and an investigation is continuing, Ferreira said.

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