01-17-2023, 03:07 AM
Friday night, January 6th, my wife and I were driving home to 23rd near Kaloli. It was about 7:00 pm and very dark. I turned right onto Shower as usual, and started driving down that road. When we entered the first intersection, 28th, we were hit very hard on the right rear of our 2015 Kia Soul. The car hit so hard, it spun all the way around once or twice. It was pandemonium after the collision as the car spun around, both side airbags deployed blocking any view through the side windows, inside the filled with smoke or dust, I suppose from the airbags. When my Kia stopped the spinning, I checked my wife, and she complained of chest and left leg pain. Got my door open and got out, and was told that we were hit by a big Dodge Ram extended cab pickup, black in color, with no lights on, which quickly drove away up Shower. I was able to get our car off the road.called 911. They sent an aid car. Police were a long way out, and I was told they were dealing with another accident nearby. A witness came over with a little calling card the hit and runner left me. That being a complete, probably right side headlight and bucket, but the real gem was the front license plate, broken off when he hit us. Aid car arrives and checks my wife. A witness yells, here he comes again, and the hit and runner drives by heading down Shower, swerving all over the road. Then the Police arrive and start assessing. Then a witness again yells, here he comes again, and sure as hell, the peel again from VES down Shower! One cop runs into the road, yelling, Stop! Stop! Again, the guy drives quickly away as the two cop cars go after him. I called my good neighbor to come and drive my wife home, as she did not want to be taken to the hospital. After maybe 40 minutes the cops return without him. He had abandoned the truck and ran into the jungle. Gave the officer the light and license plate as evidence. The did get the guy I found out the next day. An illegal from Mexico. No DUI charge, as they have to pull you over in your vehicle. Charged him with hit and run and other charges. The cop told me he would be deported back to Mexico.
Today, a week and a half later, I have chest pain. Had to go buy crutches for my wife on Saturday, and took her to the ER at Hilo Medical, where they did x-rays. No discernable broken bones. She has some bad bruises on her chest. Both of us, 69 and 68, having a tough time getting out of bed with the chest pain. I think mine is like pulled muscles from the impact and seat and shoulder belts. Wife must have hit her head on the airbag, which broke her eyeglasses and cut her temple a bit. I'm sure they are going to total our Kia.
After all this, the Friday after our accident on the 6th, I left about 11:00 am to go to the Keaau Post Office, and lo and behold, another accident right there at Shower and 28th! One car already on a flatbed, and another on the dead end side of 28th was still there waiting when I came home.
I thank the witnesses and hone owners who came out and helped us that night. I never saw the truck that hit us, until he made those two drivebys. The combination of the all black vehicle, no street lighrs, no lights on in that truck, and the very dark night made it impossible to see him coming at me.
Today, a week and a half later, I have chest pain. Had to go buy crutches for my wife on Saturday, and took her to the ER at Hilo Medical, where they did x-rays. No discernable broken bones. She has some bad bruises on her chest. Both of us, 69 and 68, having a tough time getting out of bed with the chest pain. I think mine is like pulled muscles from the impact and seat and shoulder belts. Wife must have hit her head on the airbag, which broke her eyeglasses and cut her temple a bit. I'm sure they are going to total our Kia.
After all this, the Friday after our accident on the 6th, I left about 11:00 am to go to the Keaau Post Office, and lo and behold, another accident right there at Shower and 28th! One car already on a flatbed, and another on the dead end side of 28th was still there waiting when I came home.
I thank the witnesses and hone owners who came out and helped us that night. I never saw the truck that hit us, until he made those two drivebys. The combination of the all black vehicle, no street lighrs, no lights on in that truck, and the very dark night made it impossible to see him coming at me.
Jon in Keaau/HPP
