Hawaii Island police said a 13-year-old boy was killed in Kailua-Kona on Tuesday after a Rugged-Terrain Vehicle driven by an 8-year-old veered off the road and crashed.
An 8-year-old boy was driving an orange Kubota RTV X900 around 5:45 p.m. on the 72-1000 block of Puukala Road, when it veered off the road, struck a rock embankment and overturned, according to police.
The 13-year-old passenger, Maxim Beregovoy, was ejected from the vehicle and later transported to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7 p.m.
Beregovoy was the eldest of seven siblings ranging from 11 days old to 12 years of age, according to a GoFundMe post. "His hobbies included exploring the great outdoors, doing science experiments, and designing projects that let him learn and satisfy his genuine curiosity."
The 8-year-old boy driver sustained minor, non-life-threatening injuries and was treated at the scene.
Hawaii Island police are investigating.
In Hawaii, a valid driver’s license is required to drive an All-Terrain Vehicle or Rugged-Terrain Vehicle. To get a driver’s license, applicants must be at least 17 years old.
Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with information from a GoFundMe post. (Oct. 23, 2024)