Hawaiʻi Police Department
Traffic Enforcement Unit
Acting Sergeant Clarence W. Davies
Phone: 961-8118
Report No. C13014948
Media Release (update: adds that driver was arrested)
A 45-year-old Kawaihae man died Wednesday (June 5) from injuries he received as a passenger in a motor vehicle collision on Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway north of the Palani Intersection in Kailua-Kona.
Responding to an 8:23 p.m. call, Kona patrol officers determined that a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser, driven by 44-year-old Daphne Reeves of Kailua-Kona, rear-ended a 2002 Chevy C7500 boom truck that was stopped in the outside lane with workers changing burnt out street lamps. A 41-year-old Keaʻau man who was standing outside the boom truck and a 53-year-old Hilo man who was inside the raised boom bucket were not injured.
Reeves and her male passenger were both taken by medics to Kona Community Hospital. Reeves, who was wearing a seat belt, was being treated for serious injuries. The passenger, who was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at 9:06 p.m.
The passenger was identified as David Arbon of a Kawaihae address.
Reeves was arrested on suspicion of negligent homicide, driving under the influence and inattention to driving. She was released pending further investigation.
Both speed and alcohol appear to be factors in this traffic crash. Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Anyone with information about this crash is asked to call Officer Thomas Koyanagi at 326-4646, extension 229.
This is the 17th traffic fatality on Hawaiʻi Island this year compared with 14 at this time last year.