Hawai‘i Island — A devastating two-vehicle collision on Daniel K. Inouye Highway has left the community grieving after 47-year-old Anina Masaichy of Kailua-Kona was killed and five members of her traveling party — including a three-week-old infant, a four-year-old boy, a 17-year-old girl, an 18-year-old woman, and a 51-year-old man — were seriously injured, following a head-on crash involving a 2022 Toyota pickup truck driven by 43-year-old Kimo Medeiros of Kurtistown on Thursday afternoon, October 23, 2025.
At approximately 4:34 p.m., South Hilo Patrol officers, along with Hawai‘i Fire Department and Pōhakuloa Fire and Emergency Services, responded to a 911 call reporting a serious collision near the 25-mile marker of the highway.
What Happened
According to Hawai‘i Island police, Medeiros, who was traveling eastbound (Hilo-bound) in a Toyota pickup truck, attempted to overtake multiple vehicles, resulting in a head-on collision with a westbound 2014 Subaru carrying six individuals.
The impact caused catastrophic damage and threw both passenger groups into a medical emergency requiring immediate attention.
Loss of a Beloved Community Member
One occupant of the Subaru, Anina Masaichy, was found unresponsive and later pronounced deceased at 7:53 p.m. An autopsy has been ordered to confirm the exact cause of death.
Friends and family describe Anina as warm, loving, and devoted to those she cared for — a woman deeply rooted in her community and cherished by many.
Five Survivors Seriously Injured
The remaining Subaru passengers sustained life-threatening injuries:
- 3-week-old baby girl — medevaced to Kapi‘olani Medical Center, O‘ahu
- 4-year-old boy — medevaced to Kapi‘olani, O‘ahu
- 17-year-old girl — medevaced to Queen’s Medical Center, O‘ahu
- 18-year-old woman — treated at Hilo Benioff Medical Center
- 51-year-old man — treated at Hilo Benioff Medical Center
Arrest and Criminal Investigation
Due to the circumstances of the crash, Kimo Medeiros was placed under arrest for:
- First-Degree Negligent Homicide
- Three Counts of First-Degree Negligent Injury
- Two Counts of Second-Degree Negligent Injury
- Suspicion of DUI
- Reckless Driving
- Driving Without a License
Medeiros remains hospitalized in serious condition after being medevaced to Queen’s Medical Center.
Investigators report that speed, alcohol, and/or drugs are believed to be contributing factors.
Roadway Closed for Hours
The highway was shut down in both directions for an extended scene investigation but has since reopened.
The Area I Traffic Enforcement Unit continues to investigate.
Anyone with information is asked to contact:
Officer Laurence Davis
📞 (808) 961-2391
✉️ Laurence.Davis@hawaiipolice.gov
A Community in Mourning
This tragic crash marks the 19th traffic fatality of 2025, deepening concern over increasingly severe collisions on the island.
As family and friends gather to mourn Anina Masaichy, messages of grief and support continue to pour in — a testament to the love she spread during her lifetime.
Rest in Heavenly Peace, Anina Masaichy — you are deeply loved, profoundly missed, and forever remembered.
May those injured find strength, healing, and protection in the days ahead.
