"This Could Have Been Prevented": Daughter Speaks After Mother's Death and Children's Hospitalization

HONOLULU (KHON2) — A tragic head-on collision on Daniel K. Inouye Highway has left a Hawai‘i Island family in deep mourning after the death of a mother and serious injuries to five other family members, including a three-week-old baby and a four-year-old boy.

The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 23, near the 25-mile marker when a 2022 Toyota pickup truck traveling eastbound toward Hilo veered into the opposite lane and collided with a 2014 Subaru heading westbound toward Kona. The driver of the pickup, identified as 43-year-old Kimo Medeiros from Kurtistown, was attempting to overtake several vehicles at the time of the crash.

Inside the Subaru were six family members. Among them was 47-year-old Anina Masaichy of Kailua-Kona, who was sitting in the backseat. She was found unresponsive at the scene and later pronounced dead at 7:53 p.m. at Hilo Benioff Medical Center.

Anina’s daughter, Joeanny Masaichy, shared her heartbreak with KHON2 on Sunday outside Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women & Children, where her two young children—a three-week-old baby girl and a four-year-old boy—remain hospitalized. Her father and cousin are also recovering at The Queen’s Medical Center, while her sister, who was in the Subaru, has been discharged from Hilo Benioff Medical Center.

“My son is moving and sitting up. My daughter’s vitals are better than when she came in, but she hasn’t moved yet,” Joeanny said, fighting back tears. “My dad just got out of surgery, and my cousin is still in ICU.”

The family had been shopping earlier that day and were driving in separate cars. Joeanny and her spouse were ahead, while the rest of the family followed in another vehicle. They lost sight of the Subaru and felt something was wrong.

“When we turned around, all we saw was my mom on the ground, my kids, and some workers trying to help them. I’ll never forget that moment,” she said.

Joeanny expressed her sorrow and frustration, stating, “I don’t wish anything bad on the man responsible for this. I know he has a family too. I just wish he wasn’t drinking or under the influence of drugs. If only he thought before he did anything, then maybe my mom, the grandma of my kids, would still be here.”

Police arrested Medeiros for multiple charges, including:

• Suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant
• First-degree negligent homicide
• Three counts of first-degree negligent injury
• Two counts of second-degree negligent injury
• Reckless driving
• Driving without a license

Court documents revealed that Medeiros had been cited for driving without a license just three days before the fatal crash. He was initially treated at Hilo Benioff Medical Center before being medevaced to Queen’s Medical Center, where he remains in serious condition.

Authorities are investigating whether speed, alcohol, or drug use contributed to the accident. The investigation is ongoing.

“My kids are still fighting,” Joeanny said. “We just need prayers—from all around the world.” She hopes this tragedy serves as a warning to other drivers about the dangers of speeding.

To help cover the costly medical bills and funeral expenses for the family, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched.