Man arrested for negligent injury after Wednesday crash
-
A two-vehicle collision on Highway 11 about a mile south of Kamehameha III Road caused the closure of the highway in both directions Wednesday afternoon. Seven people were taken to Kona Community Hospital, including one in critical condition, following the wreck. (LAURA RUMINSKI/West Hawaii Today)
-
One of the vehicles involved in a collision that closed Highway 11 south of Kamehameha III sits on the side of road Wednesday afternoon. (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)
Kailua-Kona — A 24-year-old female from Kanagawa, Japan suffered severe injuries following a two-vehicle collision on Wednesday on Highway 11 near the 117 mile marker.
Responding to a 2:05 p.m. call, police determined that a gray 2000 Saturn station wagon being operated by a 33-year-old Kailua-Kona man had crossed the double solid yellow line and collided head-on with a southbound white 2016 Nissan Pathfinder SUV that was being operated by a 44-year-old Kailua-Kona woman.
The 24-year-old female passenger in the Nissan was transported to the Kona Community Hospital where she was listed in critical condition. She was later transported to the Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu for further treatment.
The driver of the Nissan Pathfinder and the other six occupants (five females and one male) from Japan were transported to the Kona Community Hospital by Hawaii Fire Department personnel for treatment. The 33-year-old male driver of the Saturn station wagon was not injured in the collision.
The 24-year-old female victim and four occupants from the Nissan Pathfinder were not using seatbelts at the time of the collision.
The 33-year-old Kailua-Kona man was arrested for negligent injury and several other offenses. He remains in police custody at the Kona cellblock while officers conduct further investigation.
Police have not determined if speed or alcohol are factors in the collision.
The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Kelsey Kobayashi at 326-4646, ext. 229.