13-Year-Old Girl Struck by Vehicle in Waikoloa Dies

A Waikoloa teen is dead after she was struck by a car in Waikoloa Village on Thursday, Nov. 18.

The incident occurred near the intersection of Kamakoa Drive and Iwikuamo’o Drive. Hawaiʻi Police were called to the scene at approximately 6:36 p.m.

Through the course of their investigation, police determined a black 2007 four-door Honda Accord, driven by a 21-year-old Waikoloa man, was headed south on Iwikuamo’o Drive when he drove off the roadway and onto the sidewalk.

“The vehicle then struck the 13-year-old female pedestrian and her teenage male friend,” an HPD press release states. “The vehicle lost control and rolled over several times into a vacant lot.”

The 13-year-old girl was transported to the Kona Community Hospital where she was later pronounced dead at 11:38 p.m.

The driver and his 16-year-old male passenger, also from Waikoloa, were taken to North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital for treatment. The driver and passenger of the Honda Accord sedan were treated and later released.

The 13-year-old girl has been positively identified, but her name is being withheld since she is a juvenile.

The 21-year-old male driver was later arrested for first-degree negligent homicide, operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant and driving without a license. He currently remains in custody while the investigation is continuing.

Police do believe that speed and impairment are possible factors in the collision.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

The 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 Jason Foxworthy at 808-326-4646, ext. 229 or email at [email protected].

This is the 25th traffic fatality this year compared to 14 at this time last year.