Suspect indicted in head-on Hilo crash that led to death of infant, grandmother

A Kona grand jury indicted a Big Island man facing negligent homicide charges after a head-on collision in Hilo killed a grandmother and led a few days later to the death of her 3-week-old granddaughter.

Kimo Medeiros, 43, of Kurtistown, remains in custody at Queen’s Medical Center on O‘ahu, appearing virtually for his initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Oct 30. The indictment was filed on Monday, moving the case to the 3rd Circuit Court.

The bench warrant was issued with indictment bail set at $2.05 million.

Medeiros was indicted on 12 offenses:

• Two counts of manslaughter
• Two counts of first-degree negligent homicide
• Three counts of first-degree negligent injury
• Third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug
• Third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug
• Operating a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant
• Reckless driving
• Driving without a license

Medeiros has one prior conviction from April 2017 for operating a vehicle while under the influence. Days before the crash, the 43-year-old was cited for driving without a license.

Charges stem from a collision that occurred on Oct. 23 near the 26-mile marker on Daniel K. Inouye Highway. According to court documents, dashcam video of a motorist driving on the highway at the time of the crash captured a silver Tacoma traveling east that was speeding and overtaking vehicles.

The Tacoma, later determined to be driven by Medeiros, attempted to pass another vehicle when a tan Subaru, headed west, emerged around a blind spot, resulting in the vehicles colliding.

According to court documents, it indicates a fire briefly broke out in the engine of the Subaru. Anina Masaichy, 47, was ejected through the ripped open passenger side of the vehicle and found laying in the middle of the highway.

She was taken to Hilo Benioff Medical Center where she later passed away.

Three-week-old Aniana Kasthy was discovered in a car seat in the middle rear passenger seat of the Subaru. She was taken to the Hilo hospital where doctors discovered she had suffered skull fractures. The infant was medivaced to Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children on O‘ahu where she died days later.

Four other occupants in the Subaru, all members of the same family, were also treated for serious injuries. A 4-year-old boy was medevaced to Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women and Children on O‘ahu, and 17-year-old girl was flown to the Queen’s Medical Center. An 18-year-old woman and a 51-year-old man also were hospitalized in Hilo.

Also at the scene of the crash, first responders found Medeiros was lying in the fetal position outside the truck. He was the sole occupant of his vehicle. According to court documents, the 43-year-old had red, watery, glassy eyes, adding that a “distinct odor of [an] alcoholic beverage emanating from Medeiros’ face and body.”

Medeiros was combative when Hawai‘i Island police officers attempted to take him into custody. He was ultimately taken to Hilo Benioff Medical Center for injuries suffered in the crash. He was released pending further investigation of the crash and later medivaced to O‘ahu.

He was taken into custody by Honolulu Police Department while still in the hospital when he was initially charged on Oct. 30.

Medeiros also was found in possession of suspected methamphetamine in his vehicle, and 4.17 grams of a green leafy substance tested presumptive positive for marijuana. There also was methamphetamine residue in one of the recovered bulbous-ended pipes.