Two minutes into 2025, Hawai‘i Island police responded to a fatal South Kona traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian, positively identified as 52-year-old Jelson Kainue Leslie of Captain Cook.

The driver of the vehicle, 23-year-old Kelly Kaikili Losalio, of Captain Cook, was arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant (OVUII) and negligent homicide.

Responding officers determined that a white 2018 Honda Accord, driven by Losalio, was traveling eastbound when it struck Leslie as he was setting up fireworks on the roadway in celebration of the New Year.

After striking Leslie, the Honda collided with a parked white 1998 Chevrolet pickup truck. Leslie was transported to the Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Preliminary findings suggest that both speed and impairment contributed to the collision.

The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent homicide investigation and is asking  anyone who witnessed the collision to contact Officer Dayson Taniguchi at (808) 326-4646.