Tragedy struck early Tuesday morning on Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway in North Kona, where a two-vehicle crash claimed the lives of a couple from Waimea, as reported in a recent press release. The husband and wife, Reginald Kaleilehua Tolentino Jr., 51, and Colette Marie Kaleialoha Tolentino, 55, were involved in a head-on collision while driving a silver 2021 Kia Forte sedan. According to the Hawai’i Island Police Department, the incident occurred as they were attempting to overtake multiple vehicles, including a fully loaded fuel tanker, only to meet a northbound brown 2004 Nissan Frontier pickup truck near the 79.5-mile marker.
The collision, reported to authorities at 5:41 a.m., proved fatal for the Tolentinos, who were pronounced dead at 10:48 a.m. at Kona Community Hospital. In an attempt to overtake other vehicles, their Kia collided head-on with the pickup truck. The 55-year-old male driver of the Nissan sustained life-threatening injuries and was initially treated at North Hawai‘i Community Hospital before being transferred to Queen’s Medical Center on O‘ahu for further care, according to the Hawai’i Island Police Department report.
Hawai‘i police's Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a major traffic collision investigation and is earnestly seeking witnesses. Officer Adam Roberg is the point of contact for anyone who may have information concerning the collision. He can be reached at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229, or via email at [email protected]. For those preferring to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers accepts tips at (808) 961-8300.
