Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision (Update)

UPDATE:

The victim has been identified as Irene Kauffold (64), known to frequent the Kihei area. The Maui Police Department extends our deepest condolences to Ms. Kauffold's family and friends.

Further investigation revealed the unknown vehicle involved in the collision to be a grey 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee. On Friday, September 6, 2024, at approximately 5:08 p.m., Keith Tanitomi (61) of Kihei, was arrested for Negligent Homicide in the First Degree, Collisions Involving Death, Reckless Driving, and Operating a Motor Vehicle After License Suspended/ Revoked for OVUII. In addition, he was placed under arrest for four unrelated outstanding warrants.

Tanitomi remains in police custody.

ORIGINAL:

On Thursday, September 5, 2024, at approximately 7:23 p.m., a motor vehicle collision occurred on Keala Place, 133 feet east of South Kihei Road in Kihei.

Preliminary investigation reveals that a pedestrian was on the sidewalk when an unknown vehicle executed a short radius right turn out of the parking lot located at 1881 South Kihei Road; proceeded to drive over the curb and onto the sidewalk when it collided into and drove over the pedestrian. The operator of the unknown vehicle did not stop or render aid to the pedestrian and fled the scene northbound on South Kihei Road.

As a result of this collision, the pedestrian, a 64-year-old female known to frequent the Kihei area, sustained critical life-threatening injuries and was transported to the Maui Memorial Medical Center Emergency Room for treatment, where she later succumbed to her injuries and died. (The victim's identity is being withheld for 24 hours to allow her family an opportunity to notify their extended family and friends).

Investigation reveals that:

The involvement of speed, alcohol, or drugs has yet to be determined as the investigation remains ongoing.

At this time, Maui Police Department Vehicular Homicide Unit investigators are working diligently to identify the vehicle and operator that fled the scene.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Cody Tetzloff of the Maui Police Department Traffic Division/Vehicular Homicide Unit at (808)244-6363.

Persons wishing to remain anonymous can call Maui Crime Stoppers at (808)

242-6966.

This is Maui County's 11th fatality of 2024, compared to 12 at the same time last year.

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