Ocean View Collision Leads to Armed Assault and Robbery

Hawaiʻi County police are investigating an assault and robbery that followed a traffic collision in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates on Jan. 2. The crash occurred at the intersection of Aloha Boulevard and Lotus Blossom Lane when a 2008 Toyota sedan was broadsided by a 2007 Ford SUV. A 67-year-old driver, a 47-year-old passenger and an 8-year-old girl sustained non-life-threatening injuries and received medical attention.

According to investigators, the criminal incident unfolded after the collision. A man in a gray pickup allegedly approached the scene, assaulted the 47-year-old passenger, displayed a small handgun and demanded the victim’s cellphone. The man and a female driver then fled the scene in the gray pickup. Police provided suspect descriptions to aid the investigation: the female driver is described as a local woman in her 30s with reddish-blonde hair, and the male suspect is described as about 55 years old and bald. The gray pickup was described as an older two-wheel-drive Toyota or Nissan.

The mix of a traffic crash and a subsequent violent robbery highlights intersecting public safety concerns for Big Island County residents. Traffic collisions can quickly create vulnerability for motorists and passengers, particularly in more remote subdivisions such as Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. The presence of an armed suspect escalating an already dangerous situation underscores the importance of prompt emergency response and thorough investigation by county law enforcement.

Investigators have asked anyone with information about the crash or the suspects to contact Hawaiʻi County police. Timely tips from witnesses or residents with dashcam or doorbell footage can be critical to identifying suspects and establishing a timeline. Community cooperation also supports police efforts to allocate patrols and resources effectively, especially in neighborhoods where visibility and road conditions can complicate emergency responses.

Local officials and residents may weigh this incident when discussing safety measures, from roadway signage and traffic enforcement to community watch efforts that improve surveillance and reporting. For now, the priority remains identifying the individuals involved and determining whether additional charges or follow-up investigations will be necessary. Hawaiʻi County police continue to investigate, and authorities are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward.