Man Who Died in South Kona Crash Identified

A 54-year-old Kailua-Kona woman, Roxane Cho, and a previously identified man, now identified as 56-year-old Richard Chamberlain of Kailua-Kona, both died as a result of a one-vehicle traffic collision on Friday evening, Feb. 2, 2018, in Honamalino, South Kona near the 84 mile marker of the Māmalahoa Highway Route 11, autopsies determined on Tuesday, Feb. 6.

Chamberlain’s name had been withheld pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.

Responding to an 8:13 p.m. call, police determined that a 2013 Nissan sedan had been traveling south when it was involved in a collision with the unidentified man and Cho who were within the southbound lane of the highway.

Both the Chamberlain and Cho sustained critical injuries from the collision and were taken to the Kona Community Hospital where Cho was pronounced dead on Friday, Feb. 2, at 10:01 p.m.; Chamberlain was pronounced dead on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 12:30 a.m.

The operator of the Nissan sedan, a 55-year-old woman and her female passenger, both of Oceanview, were uninjured in the collision.

Police do not believe speed or alcohol were factors in the crash.

The Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a Negligent Homicide investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the accident to contact Officer Kimo Keliipaakaua at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 in Hilo.

This is the first and second traffic fatality this year compared to four at this time last year.