Hawai‘i Police Department
Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit
Sergeant Thomas Koyanagi
Phone: (808) 326-4646, Ext. 229
Report No.: 23-072378
Media Release
A three-year-old Kailua-Kona boy suffered critical head injuries following a two-vehicle collision on Friday, July 28, 2023, on the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway south of Kaiminani Drive, near the 93.5-mile marker in North Kona.
Responding to a 11:00 p.m. call, police determined that a northbound green 2007 Nissan Altima operated by a 26-year-old Kamuela woman rear-ended a gray 2018 Nissan Altima operated by a 32-year-old Kailua-Kona man. The 32-year-old man was pulling over to assist a friend that was having vehicle issues and was parked in the gravel median.
The 32-year-old male driver, along with his 26-year-old girlfriend, their five-year-old daughter, and three-year-old son, were all transported to the Kona Community Hospital for initial treatment. The three-year-old was subsequently transported to a hospital on Oahu where he is currently listed in critical condition. The 32-year-old male driver, his girlfriend, and their five-year-old daughter were later released.
The 26-year-old female driver was later arrested for:
- Negligent injury
- Operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant (OVUII)
- Driving while license is revoked for OVUII
The driver remains in custody at the Kealakehe Police Station while the investigation is ongoing.
The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent injury investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Adam Roberg at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229, or email at adam.roberg@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
