Police on Monday identified the 22-year-old Pahoa woman killed Saturday night in a one-car crash in Nanawale Estates as Shyla N. Medeiros-Dutton of Pahoa. ADVERTISING Police on Monday identified the 22-year-old Pahoa woman killed Saturday night in a one-car crash
Police on Monday identified the 22-year-old Pahoa woman killed Saturday night in a one-car crash in Nanawale Estates as Shyla N. Medeiros-Dutton of Pahoa.
Police on Monday identified the 22-year-old Pahoa woman killed Saturday night in a one-car crash in Nanawale Estates as Shyla N. Medeiros-Dutton of Pahoa.
According to police, Medeiros-Dutton was a rear-seat passenger in a westbound Honda four-door sedan on Nanawale Boulevard driven by 22-year-old Gary A. Simpkins of Pahoa. At about 8:20 p.m. Saturday, Simpkins reportedly lost control of the car just west of Donneybrook Lane, ran off the right side of the road and struck trees and two utility poles.
Medeiros-Dutton was ejected from the car and died at the scene, police said. Her body was found in thick brush about 10 feet away from the car by Fire Department paramedics using thermal imaging equipment.
Her death is the seventh official traffic fatality on the Big Island this year, the same as this time last year.
The front-seat passenger, a 24-year-old Pahoa man, was transported to Hilo Medical Center by Fire Rescue personnel, where he was treated and released.
Simpkins, whom police say fled the scene, was arrested shortly after noon Sunday on 29th Avenue in Hawaiian Paradise Park and charged on an outstanding warrant for contempt of court. He was booked at 6:15 p.m. on suspicion of negligent homicide, negligent injury, failure to give information and aid, failure to notify authorities of an accident and leaving the scene of an accident. He was also booked on suspicion of first-degree assault in a separate case.
Simpkins made an appearance Monday in Hilo District Court on the contempt of court charge, which stems from alleged noncompliance with terms of a deferred no contest plea in a misdemeanor assault case. He was ordered to return to court at 1:30 p.m. May 17 on that case and granted supervised release by Judge Diana Van De Car.
He remains in custody, however, as detectives continue to investigate potential charges stemming from the fatal crash and the first-degree assault. Police have until 6:15 p.m. today to file charges or release him from custody pending further investigation.
Police think speed and alcohol were factors in the crash, and anyone with information is asked to call Officer Clarence Acob at 961-2293 or the police nonemergency number at 935-3311.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
