Hawai‘i Island police investigate death of Ocean View woman

Authorities are investigating the death of an Ocean View woman after she stopped her dog from attacking her pet goat.

At this time, it does not appear that her injuries from breaking up the attack resulted in her death. The victim has been identified as 42-year-old Sommer Crivello.

On Tuesday at 3:44 p.m., Kona patrol officers responded to a dog bite complaint in the 87-3400 block of Māmalahoa Highway in South Kona.

It was initially reported that a pet dog was attacking a pet goat. After Crivello intervened she was observed to be unconscious and unresponsive on the ground. Arriving on scene, police saw Crivello in the yard not breathing. Her only visible injuries were abrasions to her left hand, consistent with a dog bite.

Officers immediately began CPR until Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel arrived on scene. First responders continued CPR efforts and transported Crivello to Kona Community Hospital where she was pronounced deceased upon arrival.

Hawai‘i County Animal Control and Protection Agency responded to the scene, securing the dog and removing it from the scene. The dog was reported to be Crivello’s family pet and was not aggressive toward officers and others at the scene.

It is unclear at this time what caused Crivello’s death. Detectives have launched a coroner’s inquest investigation, which is ongoing, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the exact cause of death.

Police ask that anyone with information relative to this investigation to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at 808-326-4646, ext. 238, or via email at donovan.kohara@hawaiicounty.gov. They may also contact the police department’s non-emergency number at 808-935-3311.