Single-Car Crash in Captain Cook Leaves Kona Woman Dead

A 19-year-old Kailua-Kona woman is dead after a single-vehicle crash in Captain Cook Friday night, March 19.

Hawai‘i Police Department responded to the incident at 7 p.m. During the course of their investigation, they determined a black 2010 Infinity four-door sedan heading east (mauka) on Ke Ala O Keawe Road crossed the double solid yellow line near mile marker three, drove into a guardrail, went airborne, and then down an embankment.

After the vehicle came to rest at the bottom of the embankment, it was fully engulfed in fire, officials stated in a press release this morning.

The driver, 19-year-old Roman Kozinskiy of Kailua-Kona, and the two female passengers, ages 19 and 24, were taken to Kona Community Hospital. The 19-year-old was pronounced dead at 10:40 p.m.

The woman has not been positively identified pending dental records. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

Kozinskiy and the 24-year-old were treated and released. However, Kozinskiy was arrested for negligent homicide and operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant. He is currently being held at the Kona cellblock pending further investigation.

Police believe that speed and impairment were factors in the fatal crash.

HPD’s Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent homicide investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the accident to contact Officer Cory Gray at 808-326-4646 ext. 229 or email at [email protected]. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.

This is the sixth traffic fatality this year compared to six at this time last year.