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On Wednesday, a tan 1987 Jeep pickup truck driven by a 61-year-old Captain Cook man was traveling southbound on the highway (Route 11) when the vehicle struck Kaaloa who was running westbound across the roadway near the 106-mile marker, according the Hawaii County Police Department.
A 10-year-old Honaunau girl died Wednesday after she was struck by a vehicle on Mamalahoa Highway in South Kona while walking home from school.
She has been identified as Janexty Kaaloa.
The child was struck at about 1:10 p.m. as she was running across the roadway near the 106-mile marker. The vehicle that hit her was a tan 1987 Jeep pickup truck driven by a 61-year-old Captain Cook man traveling south on the highway (Route 11), said the Hawaii Police Department.
Jevon Kaaloa Matsuyama said her neice, who the family affectionately called “Ulu,” was walking home from school when the accident occurred, and two of her sisters rushed to her aid. An off-duty firefighter and off-duty nurse performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation until paramedics arrived.
“They were able to get a heartbeat back and she was breathing on her own,” said Matsuyama in a message to the Star-Advertiser. But the child’s condition worsened and she was transported to Kona Community Hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly after 2:30 p.m.
An autopsy will be performed to determine Kaaloa’s exact cause of death.
The driver was released pending further investigation after police arrested him on suspicion of negligent homicide. Whether speed was a factor in the crash hasn’t been determined.
Matsuyama said Kaaloa, a fifth-grader at Honaunau Elementary School, loved to read and watch Japanese anime. “She liked to go to the movies, to the beach, and hang out with her family and friends,” Matsuyama said.
It was the 26th traffic-related fatality on Hawaii island this year compared to 16 at the same time last year.
Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call Officer Justin Hooser at 326-4646 or CrimeStoppers at 961-8300.
My deepest ALOHA to her ohana.
Oh my darling girl. This never should have happened . I am so sorry. M Aloha to you and your family.
poor little thing, very tragic. people gotta slow down when schools get out
Absolutely gut-wrenching. Rest in peace, Little One. Condolences to the Kaaloa ohana.
My prayers. May God Bless.
Oh, my, such a tragedy. Condolences to the Kaaloa family.
So sorry, may you rest in peace.
So young, so sad. Tragic for her sisters to witness.
The sweetest, nicest local family you’d ever want to know. God bless you Julie and your ohana- know that alot of folks are thinking of you and share in your pain.
My deepest sympathy to Ulu’s family, I can’t imagine losing a child.