Kona Woman Killed in Hit-And-Run Collision

A Kailua-Kona woman died Sunday, July 24, following a hit-and-run collision in North Kona.

The woman has not yet been identified. The collision happened on Kuakini Highway (Highway 11), about 150 yards south of the 119-mile marker. The woman was transported to Kona Community Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 8:30 a.m.

The Hawai‘i Police Department Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit initiated a negligent homicide investigation. An autopsy was ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

This is the 24th traffic fatality this year compared to 13 within the same time frame last year.

Responding to a 4:21 a.m. call, police determined an unknown vehicle was heading north on Kuakini Highway when it struck the woman, who was in the northbound lane of highway. The driver of the vehicle then fled the scene and failed to render aid to the pedestrian. The woman was wearing dark clothing and not in a marked crosswalk. This area of the highway is not lit.

Police at the scene determined there were possibly two vehicles involved in the collision. Police located debris from a 2017-2020 Kia Niro and a 2013-2016 Chevrolet Malibu. There also were reports that the collision might have been captured on home video surveillance.

Police ask the public to review their home or business surveillance videos for any vehicles matching the above descriptions between 3:30 and 5 a.m. Sunday. The vehicles would have sustained damage to the driver’s side front fender and bumper.

Failure to render aid when a person is killed in a traffic collision is a Class B felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $25,000.

Anyone who might have witnessed the collision or has additional information is asked to contact Officer Len Hamakado at 808-326-4646, ext. 229, or via email at len.hamakado@hawaiicounty.gov. Those who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.