8-31-24 Police Investigating Kea‘au Traffic Collision
Hawai‘i Police Department
Traffic Enforcement Unit
Sergeant Jeremy Riddle
Phone: (808) 961-2339
Report No.: 24-079863
Media Release
**Correction: Initial posting listed the day of occurrence as Friday. The accident occurred on Saturday, August 31, 2024.**
Hawai‘i Island police are investigating a two vehicle traffic collision in the area of Kea‘au-Pahoa Road and Kaloli Drive, Kea‘au that occurred on Saturday, August 31, 2024.
Responding to a traffic collision at 7:03 a.m., police learned that a 1995 Honda sedan rear-ended a 2011 Kia SUV while both vehicles were traveling Pahoa bound on Kea‘au-Pahoa Road. As a result of the collision, the Honda overturned, landing on its roof.
The operator of the 2011 Kia SUV, a 63-year old woman from Kea‘au, was transported to Hilo Benioff Medical Center with substantial injuries as a result of the collision and is currently in stable condition.
The operator of the 1995 Honda sedan, a 29-year old man from Kea‘au, was also transported to Hilo Benioff Medical Center as a result of his injuries sustained from the collision. While at Hilo Benioff Medical Center his condition worsened and he was flown to the Queens Medical Center in critical but stable condition.
At this time police believe that speed and impairment are factors in this investigation.
The East Hawai‘i Traffic Enforcement Unit will be continuing this negligent injury investigation.
If anyone has additional information regarding this collision they may contact Officer Jerome Duarte at (808) 961-2339, or via email at Jerome.Duarte@hawaiicounty.gov.
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.
