(Update) Elderly Woman Critically Injured in Hilo Traffic Collision Dies

Hawai‘i Police Department reports that the 86-year-old woman injured in a single motor vehicle collision in Hilo on Thursday, January 30, 2025, has passed away. The woman, identified as Yvonne Mira of Hilo, was pronounced deceased on February 3, at 6:21 p.m. at Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

Responding to the 4:54 p.m. call, police determined that a 2007 Honda Pilot multi-purpose vehicle operated by an 84-year-old man, later identified as Ken Rosene, was traveling in a west direction on Kaumana Drive when it veered to the right and into a ditch. The vehicle then struck a rock embankment causing the vehicle to completely stop and block the westbound lane.  Multiple witnesses were interviewed at the scene.

Mira, who was the front seat passenger, was observed to be unresponsive at the scene. Hawai‘i Fire Department (HFD) rescue personnel arrived on scene and were able to extricate her from the vehicle and she started to respond physically, but not verbally.  She was transported to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center and subsequently transported to Queen’s Hospital on Oahu where she died.

Rosene was also transported to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center where he received treatment for his injury and was eventually discharged.  Upon release, Rosene was arrested for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant and first-degree negligent injury. After conferral with the Hawai‘i County Prosecutor’s Office, Rosene was released pending investigation on Friday afternoon, January 31.

Due to Mira’s death, this investigation has been changed to a negligent homicide investigation and will continue to be investigated by the East Hawaii Traffic Enforcement Unit.

If anyone has information regarding this collision, they may contact Officer Laurence Davis at (808) 961-2339 or via email at Laurence.Davis@hawaiicounty.gov . Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

This is the 6^th traffic fatality on Hawai’i Island in 2025 compared to four this time last year.