Media Release (correction)

A 33-year-old North Kohala woman died Friday [corrected day] (November 28) from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle/pedestrian collision on Akoni Pule Highway, 545 feet west of the 24-mile marker.

The pedestrian was identified as Stanette Medeiros of a Kapaau address.

Responding to a 9:36 p.m. call, North Kohala patrol officers determined that a 20-year-old man was operating a 2008 Honda 4-door sedan and traveling east on Akoni Pule Highway when he struck the victim in the middle of the highway.

After the collision, the driver fled the scene and later returned. He was arrested for negligent homicide, operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, accident involving injury or death and prohibitions involving minors. The driver was identified as Joshua Argel of a Kapaau address. He was not injured in the crash.

After conferring with the Hawaii County Prosecutor's Office, the driver was released pending further investigation.

The victim was transported to Kona Community Hospital, where she was officially pronounced dead at 2:09 a.m. (November 29).

Police believe that speed and alcohol were factors in this crash.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Police ask anyone with information about this crash to call Officer Marvin Troutman at 326-4646, extension 229.

This is the 25^th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 35 at this time last year.

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