Crash in South Kona leaves man, 18, dead, 6-year-old boy hospitalized, driver arrested
Hawaii County police reported today the death of an 18-year-old Ocean View man who died early this morning after a single-vehicle crash Friday night in South Kona.
Police identified the man as Alona Taetuna-Kaluau, who was a passenger in a black Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck.
The pickup was traveling south on Highway 11 when the driver lost control, drove off the makai shoulder, struck a tree and rolled over.
Police got the call at 8:26 p.m. and responded to the crash, a tenth of a mile south of the 95 mile marker.
The 18-year-old was taken to the Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 12:24 a.m.
The 30-year-old male driver and a 6-year-old boy, a passenger, were also taken to the hospital.
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The driver was treated and released, but the boy was kept for observation.
Police arrested the driver on suspicion of negligent homicide, negligent injury, operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, reckless endangering and child restraint violation.
He remains at the Kona cell block pending further investigation.
Police said they believe impairment is a factor in the crash.
None of the occupants were wearing their seatbelts.
Police ask anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Jason Foxworthy at 326-4646, ext. 229 or by email at Jason.foxworthy@hawaiicounty.gov
This was the 11th traffic fatality on Hawaii island compared to eight the same time last year.