Car crashes through Hilo home’s living room, injuring 7-year-old boy

A 7-year-old boy received substantial injuries early Thursday evening when a car crashed through the living room of home in the 1200 block of Kaʻūmana Drive in Hilo.

The child was transported by medics to Hilo Benioff Medical Center. He was listed in stable condition as of Friday afternoon.

No other injuries were reported.

Hawai‘i Island police officers responding to the scene shortly after 6 p.m. Thursday determined that 71-year-old Wayne Okutsu of Hilo was visiting an acquaintance and had parked his vehicle in front of the home. He unintentionally drove toward the residence as he was leaving, leading to the crash and subsequently driving into the living room and striking the child.

Okutsu was arrested for first-degree negligent injury and is being detained at the East Hawai‘i Detention Facility in Hilo.

The car was recovered as evidence and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the police department’s non-emergency line at 808-935-3311.