Police think driver was intoxicated in crash that killed his grandmother

Police are investigating a fatal traffic collision involving two family members from Hilo that occurred late Wednesday evening on Kalanianaole Avenue near Kolea Street in Hilo’s Keaukaha neighborhood.

Officers responding to the 11:51 p.m. traffic collision determined that an eastbound 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee sport-utility vehicle negotiated a left curve too wide and fast for the wet roadway on Kalanianaole. That resulted in the Jeep veering off the right shoulder. The vehicle struck a rock and telephone pole, flipped and rolled to a stop.

The front-seat passenger in the Jeep, 69-year-old Helen Napeahi of Hilo, suffered internal injuries. She was unresponsive at the scene and taken to Hilo Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead at 2:28 a.m. Thursday.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death. Police investigating the traffic collision have determined that the vehicle was equipped with lap/harness seatbelts. However, they were used without the shoulder harness.

The driver of the Jeep and the grandson of the victim, 26-year-old Kyle Napeahi of Hilo, was uninjured. He was arrested on suspicion of DUI, negligent homicide and driving without a license. Police are testing him for intoxicants as part of their ongoing investigation, according to a Hawaii Police Department statement.

Kyle Napeahi was later released from custody without charges being filed, pending further investigation.

Police also believe that drug use, speed, and inattention to driving are factors in the crash.

This is the 13th traffic fatality of 2021 compared to 10 fatalities during this same time period last year.

Anyone who may have witnessed the accident is asked to contact Officer Jared Cabatu at 961-2339 or Jared.Cabatu@HawaiiCounty.gov. Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.