East Hawaii News

Woman critically injured after struck by vehicle on Highway 11 in Kurtistown

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A 21-year-old Puna woman is in critical condition and Hawai‘i Island police are investigating after she was struck by a vehicle the night of Jan. 22 on Highway 11 in Kurtistown.

Police determined upon responding just before 8 p.m. that a 2016 Honda CRV multi-purpose vehicle driven by a 74-year-old Mountain View man traveling north on Highway 11 struck the woman near the 10-mile marker.

Multiple witnesses confirmed the woman was seen on the roadway prior to being hit.

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She was unresponsive at the scene and transported to Hilo Benioff Medical Center, where she continues to receive treatment.

The driver of the Honda CRV was uninjured.

Police do not think speed, alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash.

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A negligent injury investigation was initiated. The East Hawai‘i Traffic Enforcement Unit continues to investigation.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Officer Johnathan Rapoza at 808-961-2339 or via email at Johnathan.Rapoza@hawaiicounty.gov.

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

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The Puna woman is the second pedestrian to be critically injured or worse in a traffic crash in 2025 on a Big Island roadway.

Jelson Kainue Leslie, a 52-year-old Captain Cook man, died after being struck just 2 minutes into the new year Jan. 1 by a white 2018 Honda Accord driven by 23-year-old Kelly Kaikili Losalio of Captain Cook.

Leslie was setting up fireworks on on Kinue Road to celebrate the New Year’s holiday when he was hit. He was transported to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1 a.m. 

Losalio was subsequently charged with negligent homicide and driving under the influence of an intoxicant.

Leslie’s death was the first traffic fatality on the Big Island in 2025.

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