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Kona fatality victim identified 11-11-02

HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
OFFICER ROBERT HATTON
PHONE: 961-2332
NOVEMBER 11, 2002
H-27397

MEDIA RELEASE UPDATE

Police have identified a 19-year-old Kona man killed Saturday (November 9, 2002) in a one-car collision on Queen Kaahumanu Highway (Route 19).

He was identified as Raymond Kapono Shim, of Honaunau.

Responding to a 12:25 a.m. call Saturday, police determined that Shim was a passenger in a 2003 Honda four-door sedan traveling north on the highway just south of the 89-mile marker.

Witnesses reported that while overtaking another vehicle, the Honda went out of control, ran off the road and overturned. The victim was ejected and pinned beneath the vehicle, indicating that he was not wearing his seat belt when the crash occurred. Speed is believed to have been a factor in the accident.

Shim was transported to the Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4:45 a.m.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Kona patrol officers arrested the driver, identified as Kaponolani Kaaumoana Machado, 23, of Kailua-Kona, on Sunday, then released him pending further investigation. Machado was taken to the Kona Community Hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash.

TEU officers are continuing the investigation, and anyone having information about the accident is asked to call Officer Bradley Freitas of the Traffic Enforcement Unit at 326-4277.

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