Hawaiʻi Police Department
Traffic Enforcement Unit
Sergeant Clarence Davies
Phone: 961-2332
Report No. C17006406
Media Release
A 3-year-old Hilo girl died following a 1 vehicle crash Tuesday night (March 7) in the parking lot of an apartment complex of the 100 block of Puʻuʻeo Street.
She was identified as Kawenalanionapua Low-Hopeau.
Responding to a 6:26 p.m. call, police determined that a 2008 Ford sports-utility vehicle was traveling north through the parking lot of the apartment complex and struck the 3-year-old pedestrian.
Kawenalanionapua Low-Hopeau was taken to the Hilo Medical Center where she was pronounced dead at 7:00 p.m.
The driver of the Ford, a 66-year-old Hilo woman, was not injured.
Police do not believe that speed or alcohol were factors.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
The Area I Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent homicide investigation and is asking anyone who witnessed the crash to call Officer Clarence Acob at 961-2293 or email: clarence.acob@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island wide Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
Because this didn’t occur on a public roadway, it is not counted as a fatality for statistical purposes.