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Question: What ever happened to the investigation of the fatal, three-car accident on Kaahumanu Highway in Kona in July? Police finish interviews
of Kona crash witnessesBy Rod Thompson
rthompson@starbulletin.comAnswer: On July 8 a 53-year-old Kona woman, while passing another car in a no-passing zone, hit an oncoming car driven by Miriam "Nani" Fernandez, 49, of Waimea, killing her. A passenger in the Kona woman's car -- Steven Simmons, 31, of Kona -- was also killed.
The Kona woman's car continued forward and hit the rear of a third car traveling in the same direction.
The Kona woman was in critical condition following the accident, and three other people suffered lesser injuries.
Police said at the time that they were investigating alcohol involvement, but gave no details.
Recently, police explained further that the Kona woman's injuries were so severe that doctors had to give her blood transfusions, making an accurate reading of her blood-alcohol level impossible.
In place of that, police said they went through a lengthy process of interviewing witnesses who were aware of the Kona woman's drinking on the day of the accident. That investigative work is now concluding, and police will soon be able to send a report to the prosecutor's office for a decision on whether to file charges against the Kona woman.
Police said they were investigating two possible charges of negligent homicide, three of negligent injury and one of driving under the influence of alcohol.
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