Hawaii Police Department
Traffic Enforcement Unit
Sergeant Christopher Gali
Phone:  961-2332  
July 26, 2007
Report No. C07011467

MEDIA RELEASE (corrected)

A 1-year-old Holualoa girl died Friday, April 6, 2007, from injuries she sustained in a motor vehicle/pedestrian crash at a home on Mokuaikaua Road in Holualoa, South Kona.

The victim was identified as Maylani Piper-Caravalho of Holualoa.

Responding to a 2:57 p.m. call, Kona patrol officers determined that a 40-year-old Naalehu man was at the residence to pick up his son and was operating a 2007 Honda Pilot multi-purpose vehicle when he ran over the child in the driveway while driving forward. 

Fire Department personnel took her to Kona Community Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 3:40 p.m.

Police do not suspect alcohol or speed in this case.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Because this crash occurred on private property, it is not counted toward the island’s official traffic fatality count.

Note: a media release dated April 6 erroneously reported that the car was reversing when it ran over the child.

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