Bail at $2 million for driver charged with manslaughter of grandmother, infant in Hilo head-on crash

The Kona Circuit Court on Tuesday increased the bail of Kimo K. Medeiros, 43 of Kurtistown, to $2.06 million, Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced.

Medeiros is facing two counts of manslaughter and other charges from an Oct. 23 crash in which he drove head-on into a car in Hilo that killed a grandmother, 47-year-old Anina Masaichy, and led to the death of her 3-week-old granddaughter a few days later.

Medeiros made his initial appearance via video conference from the Oʻahu Community Correctional Center.

The collision occurred 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. Masaichy 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. It is not known what there conditions now are.

On Nov. 8, prosecutors presented the case and a Kona grand jury returned the indictment.

Medeiros, who has been in custody since first appearing in Hilo District Court on Oct. 30, 2025 via video, was previously held on  $1.5 million bail.  

Medeiros is charged with 12 counts: two counts of manslaughter (recklessly caused the death of another person), two counts of first degree negligent homicide, three counts of first degree negligent injury and single counts of third degree promoting a dangerous drug, third degree promoting a detrimental drug, operating a vehicle under the influences of an intoxicant, reckless driving and driving without a license. 

Manslaughter is a class A felony offense which carries a penalty of a 20-year prison term. Negligent Homicide in the First Degree is a class B felony offense which carries a maximum  penalty of a 10-year prison term. The other charges carry a maximum penalty of a five year prison term.  

His next court proceeding is on March 12.