UPDATE: Kahekili Hit and Run Victim ID’d, Vehicle Sought

Police investigation, Kahekili Highway near Puuohala Road. Photo 8/17/12 by Wendy Osher.

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzjucCqcGjE /] By Wendy Osher

Maui police have since identified the woman pedestrian killed in an apparent hit-and-run accident on the Kahekili Highway as Brandy Mendes, 31, of Waiehu.

The woman’s body was discovered and reported to authorities just before 6 a.m. today along the Kahekili Highway, just south of Kamaile Street in Waiehu. However, police say the woman was struck sometime between the hours of 7:40 p.m. on Thursday, August 16, and 5:49 a.m. on Friday, August 17, 2012.

According to police reports, Mendes was walking toward Waihee on the makai side of the road when an unknown vehicle traveling in the same direction struck the woman, and fled the scene in the Waihee direction.

A preliminary investigation reveals that the involved vehicle is believed to be a factory dark metallic red, model year 1997-2002, Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra. Authorities believe the vehicle will have front-end damage, and the passenger side headlight may be damaged or missing.

Maui police are asking the public’s help with any information on the vehicle or driver involved in the fatal collision. Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at (808) 242-6966.

The involvement of speed, drugs and alcohol has not been determined, and the investigation is pending.

The incident was Maui County’s 17th traffic fatality this year compared to nine at the same time last year.

***A previous post with initial information on this case was posted at the following direct LINK.

Police investigation, Kahekili Highway near Puuohala Road. Photo 8/17/12 by Wendy Osher.