Jelson Kainue Leslie dies in fatal South Kona car crash
Fatal South Kona car crash death of Jelson Kainue Leslie – Obituary
Jelson Kainue Leslie, a 52-year-old resident of Captain Cook, was tragically killed in a collision just moments into the new year. The accident occurred at 12:02 a.m. on New Year’s Day in a residential area on Kinue Road, South Kona, when a suspected drunk driver struck Leslie while he was preparing fireworks in the roadway to celebrate the arrival of 2025.
The driver, identified as 23-year-old Kelly Kaikili Losalio, also from Captain Cook, has been arrested on charges including negligent homicide and operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant. He remains in custody at Kealakehe Police Station while the investigation continues. Authorities have determined that Losalio was driving a white 2018 Honda Accord when the vehicle hit Leslie, who was then thrown into a parked Chevrolet pickup truck.
Leslie was quickly transported to Kona Community Hospital, but unfortunately, he was declared dead about an hour later. Preliminary reports indicate that both speed and impairment played a role in the deadly crash. The police are continuing their investigation and have urged anyone with information to come forward.
