HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
SERGEANT CHRISTOPHER D. GALI
PHONE: 961-2332
JUNE 2, 2007
REPORT NO. C07017703

MEDIA RELEASE

A 1-year-old Hilo boy died Saturday (June 2) from injuries he sustained in a motor vehicle/pedestrian crash in a driveway of a home on Malae Place in the Kupulau area of Hilo.

The boy was identified as Kahea Smith, of Malae Place.

Responding to a 6:33 p.m. call, South Hilo patrol and Traffic Enforcement Unit officers determined that the boy's father, a 28-year-old Hilo man, was moving a 2000 Ford Expedition multi-purpose vehicle forward in the driveway of their home when he ran over the child.

The child was transported by Hawaii Fire Department rescue personnel to the Hilo Medical Center where he died. The child was pronounced dead at 7:20 p.m.

Police do not believe that speed, alcohol or drugs played a roll in this death.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a standard negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

This death is not counted toward the official traffic fatality count because it occurred on private property.

# # #