13-year-old boy killed in North Kona utility vehicle crash

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A 13-year-old Kailua-Kona boy was killed Tuesday in an rugged terrain vehicle (RTV) crash in North Kona.

According to a Hawaii Police Department statement, an 8-year-old boy was driving a Kubota RTV X900 in the 72-1000 block of Puukala Road at about 5:45 p.m. Tuesday.

The RTV also carried a passenger, identified as Maxim Beregovoy.

Police determined that the vehicle veered off the roadway, struck a rock embankment and overturned. Beregovoy was ejected from the vehicle and was later transported to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7 p.m.

The 8-year-old driver sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene.

Police are investigating the incident as a “major traffic collision” and is asking anyone who witnessed the incident to to contact Officer Adam Roberg at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229, or via email at adam.roberg@hawaiicounty.gov.