Michael Taione dies in fatal Hilo two-vehicle crash

Michael Taione dies in fatal Hilo two-vehicle crash
Fatal Hilo crash death of Michael Taione – Obituary

Michael Taione, a 26-year-old from Maui, was killed in a head-on collision in Hilo on the evening of January 15, Hawaii Island police said.

The Hawaii Police Department reported that just after 6:20 p.m. on Highway 19 near the intersection with Hikina Place, Taione was driving a white 2017 Ford F-150 pickup truck southbound when it crossed the centerline and struck a northbound 2022 Chevrolet Silverado.

Emergency responders found Taione unresponsive at the scene and lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful; he was pronounced dead at 6:57 p.m., marking the second traffic fatality on Hawai‘i Island so far this year.

The woman driving the Silverado, a 46-year-old from Laupāhoehoe, suffered injuries that were not life threatening and was treated at Hilo Benioff Medical Center before being released.

Authorities indicated that speed and alcohol are believed to have contributed to the crash, and an autopsy has been ordered as part of the ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information about the collision is encouraged to reach out to Officer Joshua Rodby-Tomas with the Hawaii County police.