A-10-year old Hōnaunau girl died as the result of a vehicle-pedestrian crash Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 2, in South Kona near the 106-mile marker of the Māmālahoa Highway (Route 11).
She has been identified as Janexty Ka‘aloa.
Responding to a 1:10 p.m. call, police determined that a tan 1987 Jeep pickup truck had been traveling south on Māmālahoa Highway when it struck Ka‘aloa, who had been running westbound across the highway.
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Ka‘aloa sustained critical injuries from the collision. She was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 2:33 p.m.
The operator of the vehicle, 61-year-old William Herndon of Captain Cook, was arrested on suspicion of negligent homicide and later released pending further investigation.
It is not immediately known if speed was a factor in the crash.
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Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Anyone who witnessed the crash should call Officer Justin Hooser at 326-4646, ext. 229. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo.
This is the 26th traffic fatality this year compared with 16 at this time last year.
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