Hawaii Police Officer Struck by SUV while Helping Stalled Motorist

A Hawaii police officer suffered head injuries and rib fractures after she was struck by an SUV while she was helping a motorist with a stalled vehicle in Hilo.

Source The Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Oct. 27, 2025

2 min read

What to know

A 52-year-old Hilo man was arrested on suspicion of first-degree negligent injury after allegedly striking a Hawaii police officer with an SUV early Monday.
The 27-year-old officer suffered head injuries and rib fractures while helping a motorist, and she remains in guarded condition at Hilo Benioff Medical Center.
Police said alcohol and drugs were not factors, and an administrative and negligent injury investigation is underway.

A Hawaii police officer suffered head injuries and rib fractures after she was struck by an SUV while she was helping a motorist with a stalled vehicle in Hilo.

A Hilo man, 52, was arrested today on suspicion of first-degree negligent injury when he allegedly struck a Hawaii island police officer with his SUV in the early morning.

The on-duty police officer, 27, was reportedly struck while she was assisting a motorist whose vehicle was stalled near the intersection of Kekuanaoa Street and Kanoelehua Avenue in Hilo, according to a news release.

At 5 :33 a.m., a man driving a 2023 Subaru Forester traveling east on Kekuanoa Street reportedly struck the officer who was in the westbound left-turn lane. The officer with four years with the department had suffered head injuries and rib fractures from the collision. She was transported to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center, where she is in guarded condition.

The uninjured driver was arrested at the scene and has been identified as Keola Mahi of Hilo. After conferring with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, he was released pending further investigation. Police said they do not believe alcohol or drugs were contributing factors in the crash.

The Hawaii Police Department’s Office of Professional Standards is conducting an administrative investigation. A negligent injury investigation has been initiated.

“This incident underscores the dangers our officers face each day while working to protect and serve our community, ” said Interim Police Chief Reed Mahuna in a news release. “We remain committed to supporting our injured officer as she recovers and remind all motorists to slow down and move over when they see emergency personnel on our roadways.”

Anyone with information about the collision are asked to contact Officer Jerome Duarte at 808-961-2339 or email at jerome.duarte @hawaiipolice.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808 ) 961-8300.

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