3-year-old Kona boy suffers critical head injuries in two-vehicle crash involving intoxicated driver

A 3-year-old boy from Kailua-Kona suffered critical head injuries in a two-vehicle collision that involved an intoxicated driver sometime about 9 p.m. on July 28 on Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway, south of Kaiminani Drive, near the 93.5-mile marker in Kona.

Responding police officers determined that a northbound green 2007 Nissan Altima being driven by a 26-year-old Waimea woman had rear-ended a gray 2018 Nissan Altima being driven by a 32-year-old Kailua-Kona man. The Kona man was pulling over to assist a friend that was having vehicle issues and was parked in the gravel median.

The Kona man and his 26-year-old girlfriend, their 5-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son were transported to Kona Community Hospital for initial treatment. The 3-year-old was subsequently transported to an O‘ahu hospital, where he is currently listed in critical condition. The Kona man, his girlfriend and their daughter were later released.

The 26-year-old Waimea woman who was driving the 2007 Altima was later arrested for:

• Negligent injury.
• Operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant.
• Driving while license is revoked for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant.

The woman remains in custody at the Kealakehe Police Station while police continue to investigate.

The Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent injury investigation and is asking anyone who might have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Adam Roberg at 808-326-4646, ext. 229, or vial email at adam.roberg@hawaiicounty.gov.

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