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HILO, Hawaii County, Hawaii, Oct. 3, 2026 — Six people were hurt on Friday afternoon, October 2, when a pickup truck drove through the storefront of a Longs Drugs on Puainako Street in Hilo. The Hawaii Police Department said the truck struck shoppers and store fixtures before coming to rest inside the building.
The crash happened around 3:55 p.m. when a white Toyota Tacoma went through the glass storefront, scattering debris and knocking over merchandise displays. A witness who was shopping inside said she heard the impact and saw people on the ground, including a man reportedly pinned between a cash register and the truck.
The driver, described by authorities as an 86-year-old Hilo man, was evaluated by medics at the scene and was not injured. The six people hurt ranged in age from 24 to 76.
The Hawaii Fire Department treated four of the injured at the scene and released them. Two others were taken to Hilo Benioff Medical Center for further treatment and were later released in stable condition. Store management reportedly evacuated remaining customers until first responders arrived.
The Hawaii Police Department has opened a second-degree negligent injury investigation, which remains ongoing. Anyone with information has been asked to contact the department's non-emergency line.
We hope those who were hurt recover fully and quickly.
A Common Misconception About Storefront Truck Crashes
Many people assume a vehicle crashing into a building must involve high speed or reckless driving. In reality, these crashes usually happen at very low speeds, sometimes just a few feet from a parked position, when a driver presses the gas instead of the brake or misjudges a pedal.
That misconception matters because it shapes how seriously these incidents get treated. A truck moving only a short distance can still strike multiple people and push through glass and shelving, because the vehicle's weight does the damage, not its speed.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4 percent of large-truck drivers involved in fatal crashes had blood alcohol concentrations of .08 g/dL or higher in 2023. The figure is a reminder that impaired driving is only one factor among many, including pedal error, medical episodes, and mechanical failure, that put trucks and pickups into places they were never meant to be.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do trucks take so much longer to stop than cars?
Trucks and larger pickups carry more weight and usually sit higher, so their brakes need more distance and time to overcome momentum. Wet pavement, worn brakes, or a loaded truck bed can stretch that distance further.
What makes crashes involving trucks more dangerous than ones between two cars?
The size and weight difference means occupants of smaller vehicles, or in this case people standing on foot or inside a building, absorb more of the impact. Injuries tend to be more severe even in lower-speed collisions.
What is an underride crash?
An underride crash happens when a smaller vehicle slides partly beneath a truck's trailer or body during a collision, usually causing severe injury because standard safety structures like doors and roofs aren't built to make contact at that height.
What to Do After a Truck Crash in Hilo, HI
If you're involved in or witness a truck crash in Hilo, move to a safe distance if possible and call 911 right away. Even if injuries seem minor at first, adrenaline can mask pain, so it's worth getting checked by paramedics or a doctor afterward.
Write down what you remember while it's fresh, including the time, what you saw, and any details about the vehicles involved. If police respond, get the report number or the name of the investigating officer in case you need it later.
For anyone working or shopping in a storefront, following posted evacuation routes and listening to staff instructions during an emergency can make a real difference in getting everyone to safety quickly.
