Full Notification

Hawai‘i Police Department
Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit
Sergeant Thomas Koyanagi
Phone: (808) 326-4646, Ext. 229
Report No.: 25-000267

Media Release

An elderly Waikoloa man who was critically injured in a single-vehicle collision in Waikoloa Village on Wednesday afternoon, January 1, 2025, has died. The driver has been identified as 74-year-old Ray Donnell Worrells.

At 5:11 p.m. on Wednesday, Hawai‘i Police Department officers responded to scene of the crash at the intersection of Eleele Street and Haena Street. Preliminary investigation revealed that Worrells was operating a blue 2019 Mercedes-Benz 300 SUV traveling southbound on Eleele Street when it crossed over the double-solid yellow lines, struck a rock wall, and overturned.

Worrells sustained serious injuries and was transported to North Hawai‘i Community Hospital for treatment. He succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 8:20 a.m. on Thursday, January 2, 2025.

The investigation is ongoing, and an autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation. Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact Officer Dayson Taniguchi at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229, or via email at [email protected]. Anonymous tips can also be provided to Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

This is the 2nd traffic fatality this year compared to 0 at this time last year.