Kailua-Kona man faces manslaughter charge

A Kailua-Kona man is facing manslaughter and other offenses stemming from a fiery crash that killed a 19-year-old woman.

Roman Kozinskiy was indicted Monday by a Kona grand jury on charges of manslaughter, second-degree reckless endangering and operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant in connection to the March 19, 2021, crash in South Kona that claimed the life Erika Neilson, of Kailua-Kona.

According to police, Kozinskiy was operating a black 2010 Infinity four-door sedan and heading east on Ke Ala O Keawe Road in Captain Cook around 7 p.m. when he apparently crossed the double solid yellow line, drove into a guardrail, went airborne, and then down an embankment. After the vehicle came to rest at the bottom of the embankment, it was engulfed in flames.

Kozinskiy and a second passenger in the vehicle, a 24-year-old Kailua-Kona woman, were taken to Kona Community Hospital, where each was treated and later released.

Neilson was pronounced dead later that evening.

Kozinskiy was arrested following the crash on suspicion of negligent homicide and operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, but was released pending investigation.

Manslaughter is a Class A felony punishable by up to 20 years incarceration. Second-degree reckless endangering is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $2,000.