15-Year-Old Boy Dies Following 3-Car Crash in Pepe‘ekeō

A 15-year-old boy is dead following a three-car crash on Māmalahoa Highway in Pepe‘ekeō Monday evening.

The collision was reported at 6:09 p.m. When Hawai‘i police arrived on scene, the found the teen, later identified as Zion Hao-Kallio, of Ocean View, unresponsive. He was taken to Hilo Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead at 9:12 p.m.

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

Through the course of their investigation, police determined that a 1996 Honda Civic was traveling south on Māmalahoa Highway, or Highway 19, in the area of mile marker 12.

“As the Honda approached the double lanes it attempted to overtake another vehicle at which time it lost control on the wet asphalt and spun into the oncoming north-bound lane, colliding with a 2002 Chevrolet pickup truck that was traveling Hāmākua bound,” according to an HPD press release. “The third vehicle, a 2005 Toyota Solara, was traveling south behind the Honda and was struck by flying debris from the collision.”

Police identified the driver of the Honda Civic to be 20-year-old Tyson Acacio. Hao-Kallio was the rear passenger and was ejected from the vehicle due to the crash. A 16-year-old female in the front seat passenger seat appeared to have been wearing a seatbelt and was not ejected.

Both Acacio and the front passenger were conscious and transported to the Hilo Medical Center. The driver sustained serious internal injuries and is currently in surgery, while the 16-year-old female sustained minor injuries and is set to be released pending treatment.

The driver of the 2002 Chevrolet pickup truck, a 40-year-old female, sustained a broken right heel and additional minor injuries and is currently being treated at Hilo Medical Center.

The operator of the 2005 Toyota Solara, a 58-year-old female, was not injured as a result of the traffic collision.

Police believe that speed is the primary factor in the outcome of this collision at this time. An investigation will continue into any additional contributing factors.

The East Hawaii Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent homicide investigation. Police are asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Jerome Duarte at 808-961-2339 or via email [email protected]. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.

This is the 25th fatal traffic collision of 2022 compared to 13 fatal traffic collisions during this same time period last year.