Husband, wife killed in traffic collision in North Kona

A married couple from Waimea were killed in a two-vehicle accident early Tuesday on Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway in North Kona, authorities said.

The accident occurred at around 5:40 a.m. when a silver 2021 Kia Forte sedan was traveling southbound and collided head-on with a brown 2004 Nissan pickup truck traveling northbound near mile marker 79.5, according to the Hawaii Island Police Department.

Police officials said the Kia attempted to pass multiple vehicles, including a tractor-trailer carrying a full tank of fuel when they collided.

The driver of the Kia, identified as Reginald Kaleilehua Tolentino Jr., 51, and his wife and passenger, identified as Colette Marie Kaleialoha Tolentino, 55, were taken to Kona Community Hospital, where they died shortly afterward, police said.

“The 55-year-old male driver of the Nissan pickup sustained life-threatening injuries in the collision and was transported to North Hawai‘i Community Hospital for initial treatment,” the department said in a statement. “He was subsequently transported to Queen’s Medical Center on O‘ahu for further care.”

His name was not immediately available. The circumstances surrounding the collision were unclear.

“This is the 6th & 7th traffic fatality this year compared to 4 at this time last year,” police said.

Authorities urged anyone with information regarding the accident to contact Officer Adam Roberg at 808-326-4646, ext. 229, adam.roberg@hawaiicounty.gov or Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.