Woman dies in Pahoa accident

KAILUA-KONA — A man is in police custody after allegedly fleeing an accident in which a woman was killed Saturday night in Nanawale Estates.

Gary A. Simpkins, 22, of Pahoa, was arrested at 6:15 p.m. Sunday following an accident reported at 8:21 p.m. Saturday fronting 14-3469 Nanawale Boulevard.

When firefighters arrived at 8:34 p.m. they found a 2001 Honda four-door sedan with extensive left rear and top damage. The “vehicle struck trees and snapped a utility pole before coming to rest in bushes about five feet below the grade of the road,” according to a press release from the Hawaii Fire Department.

A police release said the car ran off the right side of the road and struck two utility poles, in addition to the trees.

Firefighters reported they found a 24-year-old front seat passenger lying next to the vehicle. The Pahoa man said the driver had fled from the scene before the arrival of first responders. Police believe the driver was Simpkins.

Witnesses said there may have been others in the car.

Searchers used thermal imaging equipment to survey the area and found a woman in “very thick brush about 10 feet from where the vehicle came to rest.”

Investigation showed that Shyla N. Medeiros-Dutton, 22, of Pahoa, had been ejected from the back seat, according to police. When she was found, there were no signs of life, according to the fire department.

Police believe speed and alcohol were factors in the accident.

Simpkins was arrested on charges of first-degree negligent homicide, first-degree negligent injury, leaving the scene of an accident causing death or serious injury, failure to give information and render aid, two counts of leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage and failure to give immediate notice of an accident involving death.

Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call Officer Clarence Acob at 961-2293 or the department’s non-emergency number at 935-3311.