Man arrested for negligent homicide after deadly pedestrian crash in Hawaii Island

PUNA (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii County police arrested a man for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant and for negligent homicide after a deadly pedestrian crash Friday.

Dallas Brooks, 30, was arrested Friday evening after he hit Maxwell Robertson Sherword, 21, in Kurtistown.

According to police, at around 7:20 p.m. Brooks was traveling in an SUV eastbound on Orchidland Drive, near the intersection of 36th Avenue, when he struck Sherwood.

At the time of the crash, police said Sherwood was in the roadway and not in a marked crosswalk.

Officials said a witness told police that other vehicles had swerved to avoid hitting a man who was located in the middle of the roadway.

Sherwood was taken to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center, where he later died.

Police have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Brooks was not injured as a result of the crash.

The investigation is ongoing, but police believe alcohol is a factor in the crash.

Brooks was arrested for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant and for negligent homicide. He remains in custody at the Hilo Police Station pending further investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Joshua Rodby-Tomas at (808) 961-2339 or email Joshua.Rodby-Tomas@hawaiicounty.gov.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call CrimeStoppers at (808) 961-8300.

This is Hawaii County’s 13th traffic fatality of 2025 as compared to 16 traffic fatalities this same time last year.

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