Two motorists hospitalized after vehicle crash in East Hawai‘i

Two motorists were hospitalized after suffering injuries as a result of a vehicle crash in Puna Friday morning.

Hawai‘i Island police responded to the area of Kea‘au-Pāhoa Road and Kaloli Drive in Kea‘au at 7:03 a.m. after a 1995 Honda sedan rear-ended a 2011 Kia SUV while both were traveling toward Pāhoa. According to a press release from police Saturday, the Honda overturned and landed on its roof.

The operator of the 2011 Kia SUV, a 63-year-old woman from Kea‘au, was transported to Hilo Benioff Medical Center with substantial bodily injuries as a result of the collision and is currently in stable condition.

The operator of the 1995 Honda sedan, a 29-year-old man from Kea‘au, was also transported to Hilo Benioff Medical Center as a result of his injuries sustained from the collision. While at Hilo Benioff Medical Center his condition worsened and he was flown to the Queens Medical Center in critical but stable condition.

The East Hawai‘i Traffic Enforcement Unit is investigating the crash as a negligent injury as police speed and impairment were factors in the incident.

If anyone has additional information regarding this collision, they may contact Officer Jerome Duarte at 808-961-2339 or at Jerome.Duarte@hawaiicounty.gov.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at 808-961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.