KEALAKEKUA, Hawaii: The Hawaii County Police have issued the following media release about the death of 84 year old Greg Rosario Gregorio, after police say he was struck by a van while crossing the highway in Kona:

An 84-year-old Kealakekua man died Wednesday (September 21) from injuries he sustained in a motor vehicle/pedestrian crash which occurred on Wednesday (September 14) on Hawaiʻi Belt Road (Route 11) south of the 112-mile marker in Kealakekua.

The victim was identified as Greg Rosario Gregorio, of a Kealakekua address.

Responding to a 6:40 p.m. call, Kona patrol officers determined that Gregorio was crossing Route 11 from the makai to mauka direction when he was struck by a 2001 GMC van traveling north and being driven by a 24-year-old Ocean View man.

Gregorio was not in a crosswalk.

Gregorio was transported to the Kona Community Hospital by Fire Rescue personnel and was confined to the hospital when he died today (September 21) at 2:24 p.m.

The driver of the van was not injured.

It is unknown at this time if speed, alcohol or drugs are involved.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to call Officer Larry Flowers at 326-4646, extension 229.

This is the 16th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared to 21 at the same time last year.