KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii (KHON2) — A 35-year-old Kona man, Garrett A. Duran, was sentenced to a 10 year prison term in relation to a fatal traffic collision involving a pedestrian early July 22, 2024.
The accident occurred near the intersection of Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway and Kimo Drive. Duran was operating a Subaru Forester when he struck Christian Lipka, a pedestrian walking along the roadway, according to police.
Lipka suffered traumatic injuries, including multiple broken bones and ribs, lacerations, blood in his skull, a lacerated spleen and broken neck. Duran fled the scene on foot, and was later contacted by police on nearby Kanalani Street.
Police were able to obtain a blood draw search warrant, where they found that Duran had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.132.
On Nov. 22, 2024, Duran pled guilty to the charges of Negligent Homicide in the First Degree, Accidents Involving Death or Serious Bodily Injury and Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of an Intoxicant.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Christian Lipka and his ʻohana. Impaired driving remains one of the greatest public safety concerns on Hawaiʻi Island,” said Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen. “Mahalo to our police, prosecutors and victim advocated who sought justice for Christian and our Hawaiʻi Island community.”