Kona fatality (revised) 02-24-10

Hawai’i Police Department
Traffic Enforcement Unit
Sergeant Christopher D. Gali
Phone: 961-2332
February 24, 2010
Report No. C10005681

Media Release (revises last paragraph)

A 17-year-old Waikoloa girl died Tuesday (February 23) from injuries she sustained in a two-vehicle crash on Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway at the 88 mile-marker in North Kona and just south of the Hualālai Resort.

The victim was identified as Angela Apostadiro of a Waikoloa address.

Responding to a 8:07 p.m. call, Kona patrol officers determined that a 21-year-old Kealakekua man was operating a 2005 Hyundai multi-purpose vehicle and traveling south on Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway when he overtook a vehicle, continued south on the northbound shoulder and passed other vehicles traveling northbound while on the shoulder lane.

The Hyundai then collided with a taxi, a 2000 GMC van traveling north and being operated by a 50-year-old Waikoloa woman.

Both drivers and an 88-year-old woman visiting from France, who may have been a fare in the taxi, were transported by Fire Rescue personnel to the Kona Community Hospital.

The 17-year-old girl was a front seat passenger in the taxi and was the daughter of the driver. She was pronounced dead at 12:05 a.m. (February 24).

Everyone involved was not wearing a seat belt.

The driver of the taxi and the 88-year-old woman were listed in serious condition. The 88-year-old woman was flown to The Queen’s Medical Center for further treatment.

Police believe that speed and alcohol contributed to this crash.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers arrested the driver of the Hyundai, identified as Joseph Edgar Jr., for negligent homicide, negligent injury, operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, and reckless driving.

Edgar was being held in the Kona Police Station cellblock pending further investigation.

Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway was closed for several hours and traffic rerouted as traffic investigators and crime lab specialists documented the scene.

Police ask anyone who may have witnessed this crash or who has any information about it to call Officer Joshua Lewis at 326-4646, extension 229. 

This is the seventh traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with four [revised figure] at this time last year.



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