Executive Summary
- Michael Taione, 26, died in a head-on collision on Highway 19 in Hilo.
- Investigators report the Ford F150 crossed the centerline into oncoming traffic.
- Police cite speed and alcohol as suspected factors in the crash.
- This incident marks the second traffic fatality in Hawaii for 2026.
Officials have identified the motorist killed in a two-vehicle collision on Thursday evening in Hilo, Hawaii. Michael Taione, 26, of Maui, was pronounced dead following the incident near the intersection of Highway 19 and Hikina Place, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
First responders were dispatched to the scene at approximately 6:23 p.m. Investigators determined that Taione was operating a white 2017 Ford F150 pickup truck traveling south on Highway 19 when the vehicle crossed the centerline. The truck collided head-on with a black 2022 Chevy Silverado pickup truck driven by a 46-year-old woman from Laupahoehoe.
Upon arrival, emergency crews found Taione unresponsive. Despite immediate lifesaving efforts by fire and medical personnel, he could not be revived and was pronounced dead at 6:57 p.m. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the precise cause of death. The driver of the Silverado was transported to Hilo Benioff Medical Center, treated for non-life-threatening injuries, and subsequently released.
The East Hawaii Traffic Enforcement Unit has taken charge of the ongoing investigation. Police officials stated that speed and alcohol are currently believed to be contributing factors in the crash. Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the incident to contact the police.
Investigative Outlook
This incident marks Hawaii’s second traffic fatality of 2026, a statistic that mirrors the fatality count recorded during the same period the previous year. The preliminary findings citing speed and alcohol highlight ongoing challenges in traffic safety enforcement on regional highways. As the East Hawaii Traffic Enforcement Unit continues its inquiry, the results of the toxicology and autopsy reports will be critical in finalizing the official cause of the collision.
