A 10-year old Honaunau girl died Wednesday following vehicle versus pedestrian crash near mile marker 106 on Highway 11 in South Kona.
A 10-year old Honaunau girl died Wednesday following vehicle versus pedestrian crash near mile marker 106 on Highway 11 in South Kona.
She has been identified as Janexty Kaaloa. On Wednesday, family members identified the youngster as Ulu Kaaloa. Click here to read the story.
Responding to a 1:10 p.m. call, police determined that a tan 1987 Jeep pickup truck had been traveling south on the highway when it struck Kaaloa who had been running makai across the highway. Kaaloa suffered critical injuries from the collision. She was taken to Kona community Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 2:33 p.m.
The operator of the vehicle, 61-year-old William Herndon of Captain Cook was arrested on suspicion of negligent homicide and later released pending further investigation.
It is not immediately known if speed was a factor in the crash.
Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Anyone who witnessed the crash, should call Officer Justin Hooser at 326-4646, ext. 229. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo.
This is the 26th traffic fatality this year compared with 16 at this time last year.