HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
SERGEANT CHRISTOPHER D. GALI
PHONE: 961-2332
JANUARY 11, 2006

MEDIA RELEASE

A 35-year-old Kailua-Kona woman died Wednesday (January 11, 2006) from injuries she received in a two-vehicle crash on Kaiwi Street in the old industrial area of Kailua-Kona.

The victim was identified as Kimberly Bean-Tafolla of Kailua-Kona.

Responding to a 6:04 a.m. call, Kona patrol officers determined that a 1997 Honda four-door sedan was traveling east on Kaiwi Street when it crossed the centerline and collided with a 2005 Chevrolet multi-purpose vehicle traveling west.

The driver of the Honda, a 26-year-old Kailua-Kona man was transported to the Kona Community Hospital where he was being treated. The driver of the Chevrolet, a 55-year-old Kona man was treated and released with minor injuries.

Bean-Tafolla, who was a passenger in the Honda, was pronounced dead at 6:55 a.m. at the Kona Community Hospital. She was not wearing a seatbelt. Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Speed is believed to be a factor in this crash but it is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs were factors.

This is the 1st traffic fatality on the Big Island this year, compared to none at the same time last year.

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