Hawai‘i Police Department
Traffic Enforcement Unit
Sergeant Thomas Koyanagi
Phone: (808) 326-4646 ext. 229
Report No. 20-000206
Media Release (Update)
A 42-year-old Kamuela woman died following a single-vehicle collision on Wednesday (January 1, 2020) on Kawaihae Road near the intersection of Puu Opelu Road.
The 42-year-old female has been identified as Sylvia Elizabeth Ravaglia.
Responding to a 3:08 p.m. call, police determined that a 34-year-old male from Honokaʻa was operating a gray 1990 Toyota pickup truck when he crossed the double solid yellow line and struck the pedestrian on the shoulder of the westbound (Makai) lane. The 42-year-old female was transported to the Kona Community Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead at 7:44 p.m. (January 1, 2020).
The driver of the Toyota pickup was not injured in the collision. He was later arrested for Negligent Homicide. He is currently being held at the Kona Cellblock.
Police do not believe that alcohol was a factor in the collision.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
After conferring with prosecutors, at 9:45 p.m., (January 1, 2020), Area II Traffic Enforcement Officers charged Jesse Speetjens with Negligent Homicide in the 2nd Degree. His bail was set at $2,000. Speetjens remains in police custody pending his initial court appearance scheduled for today, Thursday, (January 2, 2020).
The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Jason Foxworthy at (808) 326-4646 ext. 229.
This is the 1st traffic fatality this year compared to 0 at this time last year.