HILO — Hawai‘i Island police have identified 26‑year‑old Michael Taione, a Maui resident, as the victim of a deadly two‑vehicle collision on Highway 19 near the Hikina Place intersection on January 15.
Taione was travelling south in a white 2017 Ford F‑150 when his truck crossed the centerline and crashed head‑on into a northbound black 2022 Chevy Silverado driven by a 46‑year‑old woman from Laupāhoehoe.
Emergency responders found Taione unresponsive at the scene, and he was pronounced dead shortly after.
Police say speed and alcohol are believed to be contributing factors in the crash, and an autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
The driver of the Silverado was taken to Hilo Benioff Medical Center with non‑life‑threatening injuries and was later released.
The incident marks Hawai‘i Island’s second traffic fatality of 2026, matching the count at the same time last year.
Police are asking anyone with information about the collision to contact Officer Joshua Rodby‑Tomas of the East Hawai‘i Traffic Enforcement Unit at (808) 961‑2339.
