Hawai‘i Island police have arrested and charged 35-year-old Kevin Bell of Kailua-Kona with numerous offenses following an eight-vehicle collision in Captain Cook, on Friday morning, February 23, 2024.

At 10:38 a.m., police dispatch received numerous reports of a red pick-up truck driving recklessly on Māmalahoa Highway, (Highway 11) south bound, near the Napo‘opo‘o Road intersection. Just a few minutes later at 10:42 a.m., Kona patrol officers responded to a multi-vehicle collision on Māmalahoa Highway near the 108-mile marker.

Police determined that Bell was driving a 2008 red Dodge full-sized pick-up truck south bound on Māmalahoa Highway near the 108 mile-marker when he struck a 2016 Nissan sedan compact vehicle also traveling south bound on Māmalahoa Highway. The Nissan sedan was then forced into three parked vehicles on the west (makai) side of Māmalahoa Highway. Two of the three parked vehicles were occupied.

After hitting the Nissan sedan, the Dodge truck overturned on its roof and slid, striking three more parked vehicles, all unoccupied, on the west (makai) side of Māmalahoa Highway, causing in excess of $70,000 in damage. The truck continued sliding south on the highway and subsequently slid off a 15-foot embankment, where it came to a final resting point.

Five victims were transported to the Kona Community Hospital in stable condition. Bell was arrested and transported to the Kealakehe Police Station. While in police custody, he attempted to escape the detention facility but was thwarted by officers.

In the course of their investigation police determined that Bell’s actions were intentional and that his actions placed numerous bystanders in danger. On Saturday afternoon, February 24, after conferring with the County Prosecutor’s Office, Kona patrol officers charged Bell with the following offenses:

• First-degree criminal property damage (recklessly placing a person in danger of death or bodily injury).
• First-degree criminal property damage (value of the damage caused as a result of the collision).
• First-degree negligent injury
• Two counts of second-degree reckless endangering
• Second-degree attempted escape
• No motor vehicle insurance policy
• Reckless driving

Bell’s bail was set at $34,125. His initial court appearance is scheduled for Monday, February 26, in Kona District Court.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact Kona Patrol Officer Andrew Walters at the police department’s non-emergency number (808) 935-3311 or via email at Andrew.Walters@hawaiicounty.gov.