KAILUA-KONA — The case of William Herndon, the driver of the vehicle that struck and killed a fifth-grade student at Honaunau Elementary School in early November, remains under investigation.
Janexty Kamakamaeuluwehi Kaaloa, known to family and friends as Ulu, was walking home from school along the mauka side of Highway 11 after getting released early Nov. 2.
Travelling north, Ulu attempted to cross the highway toward her family’s restaurant, Kaaloa’s Super J’s, when she was struck by Herndon, who was driving southbound in a tan, 1987 Jeep pickup truck.
Herndon, 61, of Captain Cook, was initially arrested on suspicion of negligent homicide but was later released pending further investigation. Nearly two months after the collision, that investigation continues, said Chris Loos, a spokeswoman for the Hawaii County Police Department.
Loos added that such investigations can last a substantial length of time and could not provide a conclusion date for the police inquiry.
Once the police do complete the investigation, she said, their findings will be sent to Hawaii County prosecutors, who will then decide based on the facts how to proceed.