Suspect calls police after leaving scene of deadly crash on Big Island

HONOLULU (KHON2) — A 70-year-old Hilo man faces criminal charges in the investigation of a crash that killed a Hilo woman on Tuesday morning, Oct. 3.

According to the Hawaii Police Department, the incident involved Carlton Inada who was driving a 2016 Toyota Tacoma and 79-year-old Barbara Klein who was riding her bicycle on Akolea Road.

Investigators said the Tacoma had struck Klein just south of Waianuenue Avenue at around 9:50 a.m. But it wasn’t until Inada left the scene and got to his home, did he call police to say he struck the cyclist, said officers.

Inada was located at his home within his vehicle and was placed under arrest.

Court documents stated when officers met with Inada, he allegedly made a “spontaneous statement of ‘I didn’t see her.'” However, he later admitted to striking Klein from the back to teach her a lesson for “just going slow all the time,” the documents went on to detail.

Klein was found unresponsive at the scene and was taken to the hospital. Unfortunately, just shortly before 11 a.m. she was pronounced dead.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death.

Hawaii County’s prosecuting office announced on Thursday, Oct. 5, Inada was charged for negligent homicide in the second degree and collisions involving death or serious bodily injury.

Inada’s bail was set at $100,000. His first court appearance is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

This is the 15^th traffic fatality of 2023 on Big Island. At the same time in 2022 there were 27 traffic related fatalities.