Infant dies days after north Hilo crash claims woman’s life
HILO (HawaiiNewsNow) - A three-week-old girl who was critically injured in a head-on collision last Thursday has died.
Hawaii Island police said she was pronounced dead Monday at around 5:30 p.m.
Investigators said a 2022 Toyota pickup truck was heading eastbound and overtook multiple vehicles.
It then collided head-on with a 2014 Subaru traveling westbound.
Police said that a passenger in the Subaru, 47-year-old Anina Masaichy of Kailua-Kona, was unresponsive on the scene.
She was later pronounced dead at 7:53 p.m, said police.
Other Subaru occupants included a 4-year-old boy, a 17-year-old girl, and two adults, an 18-year-old female and 51-year-old male.
They all sustained serious injuries, said investigators.
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Police identified the driver of the Toyota as Kimo Medeiros, 43, of Kurtistown. He was taken to Hilo Benioff Medical Center for his injuries and then medevaced to Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu.
He remains in serious condition, said police.
Investigators said speed, alcohol and/or drugs may have played a role in the crash.
Police arrested Medeiros for the following:
- Suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant.
- First-degree negligent homicide.
- Three counts of first-degree negligent injury.
- Two counts of second-degree negligent injury.
- Reckless driving.
- Driving without a license.
Police said that with the death of the infant, one of the negligent injury charges will be upgraded to first-degree negligent homicide.
Court records revealed a long history of traffic infractions for Medeiros. His most recent citation came just three days before the deadly incident, and was for driving without a license.
RELATED STORY: Suspect in deadly Hawaii Island crash was cited just 3 days prior
Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Laurence Davis of the Area I Traffic Enforcement Unit at (808) 961-2391 or email Laurence.Davis@hawaiipolice.gov.
Tipsters can also call the non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.
Police say this marks the 20th traffic fatality on Hawaii Island this year, compared to 25 at the same time last year.
Loved ones have launched a GoFundMe to raise money for funeral services and medical bills.
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