Community: 7-29-23 Three-Year-Old Critically Injured in North Kona

A three-year-old Kailua-Kona boy suffered critical head injuries following a two-vehicle collision on Friday, July 28, 2023, on the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway south of Kaiminani Drive, near the 93.5-mile marker in North Kona.

Responding to a 11:00 p.m. call, police determined that a northbound green 2007 Nissan Altima operated by a 26-year-old Kamuela woman rear-ended a gray 2018 Nissan Altima operated by a 32-year-old Kailua-Kona man. The 32-year-old man was pulling over to assist a friend that was having vehicle issues and was parked in the gravel median.

The 32-year-old male driver, along with his 26-year-old girlfriend, their five-year-old daughter, and three-year-old son, were all transported to the Kona Community Hospital for initial treatment. The three-year-old was subsequently transported to a hospital on Oahu where he is currently listed in critical condition. The 32-year-old male driver, his girlfriend, and their five-year-old daughter were later released.

The 26-year-old female driver was later arrested for:

Negligent injury
Operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant (OVUII)
Driving while license is revoked for OVUII

The driver remains in custody at the Kealakehe Police Station while the investigation is ongoing.

The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent injury investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Adam Roberg at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229, or email at adam.roberg@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.