HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
KONA PATROL DIVISION
LIEUTENANT LEO K. JITCHAKU
PHONE: 326-4646, EXT. 253
SEPTEMBER 18, 2004
I-05846
NEGLIGENT INJURY

MEDIA RELEASE

Kona police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a driver and vehicle involved in a hit-and-run accident on Saturday evening (September 18, 2004) that seriously injured a pedestrian.

About 7:20 p.m., Kona patrol officers responded to a report of a traffic accident on Queen Kaahumanu Highway near the 95-mile marker just south of the Natural Energy Lab of Hawaii, also known as OTEC. On arrival, officers located an injured 34-year-old Kailua-Kona woman being treated by fire rescue personnel.

Witness reported that the woman was walking with another female along the shoulder of the road when she was struck by a car heading south toward Kailua-Kona. Witnesses said the car had been recklessly overtaking other cars at a high rate of speed and using the shoulder of the road to overtake other vehicles.

Witnesses described the vehicle as a blue or green compact, possibly a Toyota or Honda. The vehicle may have front end damage and a broken headlight and glass and possibly a broken passenger side mirror.

The injured woman was taken to the Kona Community Hospital, where she was reported in guarded condition suffering from lacerations and several broken bones.

Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the accident or who may have information about the driver or the car involved in the hit-and-run to call Officer Robert Sakata of the Kona Patrol Division at 326-4646, Ext. 253, or the police non-emergency number at 935-3311.

Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept strictly confidential.

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