Hawaii Police Department
Traffic Enforcement Unit
Christopher D. Gali
Phone: 961-2232
September 23, 2007
Report No. C07030874

Media Release

A 48-year-old Kamuela man and a 57-year-old Kealakekua woman were killed Sunday (September 23) from injuries they sustained in a two-vehicle collision on Route 190 near the 4-mile marker.

The drivers were identified as Randy W. Ahuna of a Kamuela address and Charlotte L. Paris of a Kealakekua address.

Responding to a 12:08 a.m. call, South Kohala patrol officers determined that Ahuna was operating a 2004 Dodge pickup truck and traveling in the Waimea direction when he crossed the centerline and collided head-on with Paris, who was operating a 2005 Subaru multi-purpose vehicle and traveling in the Kona direction.

Ahuna was transported to North Hawaii Community Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead at 1:25 a.m.

Paris died at the scene and was transported to Kona Community Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 3:50 a.m.

Both drivers were wearing their seat belts.

Police do not believe that speed or alcohol were involved, but driver fatigue may have been a factor.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide and coroner's inquest case and have ordered autopsies to determine the exact cause of death.

Police ask anyone with information about this crash to call Officer Marvin Troutman at 326-4646, extension 229.

These are the 28^th and 29^th traffic fatalities on the Big Island this year compared with 27 at this time last year.