Police are investigating as a homicide a Saturday night assault in Kawaihae, as the victim later died.

At 10:23 p.m., officers responded to a residence on Kalo ‘Olo‘o Drive in Kawaihae Hawaiian Homes after receiving a report of an unresponsive woman inside a vehicle parked in front of the home. According to police, the woman, later identified as 40-year-old Leah Bannister of Kurtistown, had reportedly been involved in a physical altercation at the residence with several other individuals.

Police say that following the altercation, Bannister entered a Nissan sport-utility vehicle and accelerated toward a girl and a man. Bannister then allegedly collided with a nearby parked vehicle with two children inside.

Bannister then allegedly reversed the SUV, then reversed a short distance before a man, identified as 38-year-old Heʻenalu Luta, reportedly approached the driver-side window and punched Bannister, causing her to lose consciousness.

Bannister was taken ambulance to Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital in serious condition, police said, and Luta was arrested for first-degree assault. Luta was released without being charged, pending further investigation, after police consulted with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney.

Police have now reclassified the investigation as a homicide — which could be either murder or manslaughter if charges result — after Bannister died in the hospital at 5:22 a.m.

An autopsy will be scheduled to determine the exact cause of death. Investigators from the Area II Criminal Investigation Section are continuing the investigation.

Police ask anyone with information regarding this incident to call the police department non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311. Those who prefer to anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.