Big Island Officer on Administrative Leave After Fatal Collision With Bicyclist

Waikoloa Road, Hawaiʻi Island, Google Earth image.

By Maui Now Staff

Hawaiʻi Island police initiated a negligent homicide investigation into an officer-involved traffic accident that resulted in the death of a bicyclist in South Kohala.

Police have since identified the victim as Jeffrey C. Surnow, 63, of West Bloomfield, Michigan.

According to police reports, the officer who struck Surnow, was on-duty at the time and reported the crash at around 6:25 a.m. on Sunday, March 1, 2015.

The officer, later identified as Jody Buddemeyer, 30, was arrested on suspicion of negligent homicide and was released pending further investigation.  Police have since placed Buddemeyer on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.

According to police reports, Surnow was riding a bicycle east on Waikoloa Road near Mile 11 when he was hit by the vehicle that was headed in the same direction.

Surnow was transported to the North Kohala Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 10:25 a.m., police said.