A 61-year-old Kapaau woman died Friday from injuries she sustained in a one-vehicle crash on Kohala Mountain Road at the 9-mile marker in the South Kohala District.
A 61-year-old Kapaau woman died Friday from injuries she sustained in a one-vehicle crash on Kohala Mountain Road at the 9-mile marker in the South Kohala District.
The driver was identified as Raylene H. Kawaiaea of a Kapaau address.
Responding to a 2:28 p.m. call, South Kohala patrol officers determined that Kawaiaea was operating a 2006 Toyota pick-up truck traveling south on Kohala Mountain Road when she lost control of the vehicle, crossed the center line and struck a tree.
Kawaiaea was wearing a seatbelt.
It is unknown if alcohol or drugs were involved but speed may have played a factor in the crash, according to police. It was also reported that there was heavy fog in the area.
Kawaiaea was transported to the Kona Community Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 8:47 p.m.
Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a coroner’s inquest case and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
It was the seventh official traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared to five at the same time last year.