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Hawaii County police identified a the 1-year-old Kailua-Kona boy who died after being hit by an SUV in a parking lot Saturday evening as Benwa Benjimon.
The accident occurred in the parking lot of Kahuluu Housing in Kailua-Kona just before 8 p.m. Police said the driver of a white Chevrolet Suburban was maneuvering his vehicle in an attempt to reverse into a parking stall when he hit Benjimon, who had been standing in front of the vehicle.
Benjimon was taken to Kona Community Hospital in critical condition, where he later died.
The SUV driver, a 38-year-old Kailua-Kona man was arrested and released pending investigation.
Police have opened a negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Police ask anyone who witnessed the accident to call Officer Justin Hooser at (808) 326-4646, extension 229. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 in Hilo.
