According to a news release by Hawaii Police Sergeant Thomas Koyanagi, a Utah man was taken into police custody following a traffic accident that critically injured a 54-year-old Kailua-Kona man.
"A 54-year-old Kailua-Kona man sustained life-threatening injuries"
A 54-year-old Kailua-Kona man sustained life-threatening injuries and a 59-year-old visitor from Utah was arrested following a two-vehicle collision on Sunday afternoon, October 15, 2023, near the 3-mile marker on Ali'i Drive in Kona.
Following a traffic accident, a 54-year-old man from Kailua-Kona sustained life-threatening injuries.
According to police, the two-vehicle collision took place on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 15, near the 3-mile marker on Ali'i Drive in Kona. In connection to the incident, a 59-year-old visitor from Utah was arrested. The collision, which occurred at approximately 2:46 p.m., involved a white 2023 Chevrolet Suburban SUV heading north and a northbound maroon 2022 Icebear moped, which was traveling within the designated bike lane. According to Sgt. Koyanagi, the moped and the SUV collided when the SUV attempted to make a right turn, leading to a forceful impact that ejected the 54-year-old moped rider. This resulted in the victim sustaining serious head injuries, police report.
The injured moped rider, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, was rushed to Kona Community Hospital for immediate medical attention. According to Sgt. Koyanagi, due to the severity of the victim's condition, he was transferred to the Queens Medical Center on Oahu, where he remains in critical condition. The driver of the Chevrolet Suburban has been identified as 59-year-old Thomas Sharkey, hailing from Sandy, Utah. Following the collision, Sharkey was arrested on charges of negligent injury. According to police he has since been released, with further investigations pending. Notably, at the time of the incident, the moped rider was not wearing a helmet. Police say there is also suspicion that the moped rider may have been under the influence of an intoxicant at the time of the accident.
The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated an investigation into the case of negligent injury. They are seeking assistance from any individuals who may have witnessed the collision. Those with information are urged to contact Officer Ansel Robinson at (808) 326-4646, extension 229, or via email at ansel.robinson@hawaiicounty.gov. For those wishing to maintain their anonymity, Crime Stoppers can be reached at (808) 961-8300.