HAWAII ISLAND (KHON2) — Hawaii Island police have confirmed that a three-week-old female infant involved in the two-vehicle crash on Daniel K. Inouye Highway on Oct. 23 has died.
Police said that she was pronounced dead at 5:29 p.m. on Oct. 27.
This comes after a deadly head-on collision on Daniel K. Inouye Highway claimed the life of a mother and seriously injured five family members — including a four-year-old boy.
Police say the crash happened around 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, near the 25-mile marker when a 2022 Toyota pickup truck traveling eastbound toward Hilo crossed the center line and struck a 2014 Subaru traveling westbound toward Kona.
The driver of the pickup was identified as 43-year-old Kimo Medeiros of Kurtistown. Investigators say he was attempting to overtake several vehicles when the crash happened.
“My son, he’s moving and sitting up. My daughter’s vitals are better than when she came in, but no movement yet,” Joeanny Masaichy, the victim’s daughter, told KHON2 on Sunday. “My dad just got out of surgery, and my cousin is still in ICU.”
Police arrested Medeiros for 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 and driving without a license.
Court documents show Medeiros was cited for driving without a license three days before the deadly crash. He was first taken to Hilo Benioff Medical Center for treatment, then medevacked to Queen’s Medical Center, where he remains in serious condition.
With the death of the baby girl, one count of first-degree negligent injury will be reclassified to one count of first-degree negligent homicide.
This is the Big Island’s 20th traffic fatality of 2025, compared to 25 traffic fatalities this same time last year.