KAILUA-KONA, HI – A driver is facing charges in connection with a fatal collision on Daniel K. Inouye Highway last week, according to Hawai‘i Island police.
The crash occurred Oct. 23 shorty after 4:30 p.m. near the highway’s 25-mile marker. A preliminary investigation found that the driver of a 2022 Toyota pickup truck was heading east and overtook multiple vehicles. The Toyota collided head-on with a westbound 2024 Subaru multi-purpose vehicle bound for Kona.
A passenger in the Subaru, 47-year-old Anina Masaichy of Kailua-Kona, was pronounced dead at the scene. Five other people in the Subaru were seriously injured and taken to area hospitals – a 51-year-old man, a 4-year-old boy, and three females, ages 18, 17, and three weeks old.
The driver of the Toyota, identified as 43-year-old Kimo Medeiros of Kurtistown, was also taken to the hospital in serious condition. Medeiros was subsequently arrested on multiple charges, including suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant, first-degree negligent homicide, and reckless driving.
Police said speed, alcohol, and/or drugs are believed to be possible contributing factors in the crash, which shut down Daniel K. Inouye Highway was closed in both directions.
If a loved one recently died due to someone’s negligence, you have legal rights as a surviving family member. When a reckless or an intentional action costs someone their life, the responsible party could owe the family of the victim significant compensation. This will typically be recovered through a wrongful death claim. At Recovery Law Center, our Hawaii wrongful death lawyer can represent your family and seek compensation through a civil lawsuit. Give us a call at (808) 427-3088 or visit our contact page to schedule a free consultation regarding your case.
