A ball python snake that appeared to have been run over by a car in Hilo was euthanized yesterday by the state Department of Agriculture.

The 3-foot, 8-inch snake was found on the side of the road by a Hilo woman who lives on Lanikaula Street.

The woman reported the snake around 7:30 a.m. yesterday and plant quarantine inspectors who went to her home found her and several onlookers with the snake in a plastic container.

Snakes are illegal in Hawai'i, and it is not known whether the snake was being kept illegally as a pet and escaped or whether it had been in the wild.

The snake was euthanized because of its injuries.

Ball pythons can grow up to 6 feet long. They are nonvenomous and common in the pet trade industry on the Mainland, agriculture officials said.

People who have illegal animals are encouraged to turn them in under the state's amnesty program, which provides immunity from prosecution. Illegal animals may be turned in to any state agriculture office, municipal zoo or any Humane Society with no questions asked.

KAHEKILI LEFT LANES TO BE CLOSED DAILY

There will be left-lane closures on Kahekili Highway between Kulukeoe Street and Ha'iku Road in both directions from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily this week for the removal of existing drainage systems and water line adjustments.

The $4.1 million Kahekili Highway Landscaping Project will also include the installation of landscaped planter boxes on the median and wheelchair-accessible curb ramps.