19-year-old faces charges after traffic collision

A 19-year-old Hilo woman with an active DUI case has been charged with several offenses after allegedly causing a three-vehicle crash on Highway 11 that critically injured another driver.

Officers responding to the report of a collision at 10:34 p.m. Friday determined that 19-year-old Ariana Kahalioumi-Santos was driving a 2003 Acura RSX when she rear-ended a 2009 Hyundai Accent at the intersection of Kipimana Street in Keaau, propelling the Hyundai into a 2017 Chevrolet sport-utility vehicle.

The driver of the Hyundai, a 40-year-old Keaau woman, was taken to Hilo Medical Center and later flown to The Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu with critical injuries.

The driver of the Chevy SUV, a 66-year-old Keaau woman, wasn’t injured.

Kahalioumi-Santos, who also was uninjured, was arrested at the scene and charged Saturday with first-degree negligent injury, DUI, reckless driving, inattention to driving, consuming or possessing liquor while driving, marijuana possession, driving after her license was suspended for DUI, and driving without insurance.

Hilo District Judge Jeffrey Hawk on Tuesday granted a motion by Deputy Public Defender Megan Fellows to free Kahalioumi-Santos on court-supervised release without monetary bail over the objection of Deputy Prosecutor Herbert Mukai, who requested her bail be maintained at $8,050.

The judge also ordered her to appear for a preliminary hearing at 2 p.m. Sept. 21.

Kahalioumi-Santos also was arrested for DUI and driving without a license on July 19, 2020. Her license was administratively suspended at that time.

At her last court appearance in that case on Aug. 23, Kahalioumi-Santos’ case was continued for plea negotiations. She has a hearing scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 20.

“Police are doing what they can to keep the roads safe, but we need help,” said Sgt. Jeremy Riddle of the Hilo Traffic Enforcement Unit in a statement Wednesday.

“We are continuing to step up efforts to provide safe roads and make sure people drive safe. Police would like to take this opportunity to remind motorists to please drive responsibly, wear your seat belt, buckle up your children, and don’t take the chance of drinking and driving, it’s just not worth it.”

Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.