Police-subsidized truck broadsides SUV in Hilo; 3 people injured, including toddler

Hawai‘i Island police are investigating a major two-vehicle crash involving a police-subsidized vehicle the morning of April 3 in Hilo that resulted in three people being injured, including a 3-year-old boy.

Authorities are urging witnesses of the crash to come forward.

Police received a report of a traffic crash at 9:34 a.m. April 3 at the intersection of Kamehameha Avenue and Manono Street in Hilo, near Wailua Small Boat Harbor, Suisan Fish Market and Kuawa Ballfields.

The crash involved a police-subsidized black 2024 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck and a gray 2015 Lexus SUV.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the Silverado was traveling east on Kamehameha Avenue when it broadsided the Lexus in its passenger side as it was crossing the intersection, heading south toward Manono Street.

Both vehicles were disabled because of the crash and stranded in the intersection.

The officer driving the police-subsidized Chevrolet was transported to Hilo Benioff Medical Center with apparent minor injuries.

Two people were in the Lexus — a 62-year-old woman driving and a 3-year-old boy riding with her — and also taken to the Hilo hospital. She sustained minor lacerations and a broken rib while the toddler received minor scrapes and bruises.

Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area I Traffic Enforcement Unit and Office of Professional Standards continue to investigate the crash.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information about the incident is urged to contact Detective Steven Grace at 808-961-2290 or via email at Steven.Grace@hawaiicounty.gov.

Those who want to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.