HANALO, Hawaii – A 26-year-old Kailua-Kona man died Sunday morning (September 29) in a vehicle–pedestrian collision.

About 2:53 a.m., a 2004 Mercedes-Benz was traveling south on Highway 11 near the junction with Puʻuloa Road in Kailua-Kona when it ran over a man who was lying across the southbound lane. The man, Richard Penrose of Kailua-Kona, died at the scene. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

The driver, 39-year-old Christian S. Yamagata of Kealakekua, was not injured. He was arrested on suspicion of negligent homicide and operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and release pending further investigation.

Police ask that anyone who witnessed the collision call Officer Thomas Koyanagi at 326-4646, extension 229.

This is the 23rd fatality this year compared with 30 at this time last year.