A 61-year-old woman and a 54-year-old woman, both from Keaau, died Monday from injuries they received in a two- vehicle crash on Mamalahoa Highway, according to police.
A 61-year-old woman and a 54-year-old woman, both from Keaau, died Monday from injuries they received in a two- vehicle crash on Mamalahoa Highway, according to police.
The victims were identified as Josefina B. Visaya, 61, and Patrocinia R. Cadang, 54, both of a Keaau address.
The accident occurred two-tenths of a mile east of the 39-mile-marker in the Hamakua District.
Responding to a 4:24 p.m. call, Hamakua patrol and Traffic Enforcement Unit officers determined that a 30-year-old Honokaʻa man was operating a 1993 Nissan pick-up truck and traveling east on Mamalahoa Highway when he overtook a 2005 Ford van being operated by a 45-year-old Keaau man with eight passengers.
The Nissan pick-up truck was returning to the east bound lane when it collided with the Ford van.
The two victims from the Ford van were transported to the Hilo Medical Center, where they were pronounced dead at 9:30 p.m.
The driver of the Ford van was transported to the North Hawaii Community Hospital, where he was later treated and released with minor injuries.
Other passengers within the van, a 23-year-old woman and 23-year-old man, both from Keaau, were transported to the Hilo Medical Center where they were treated and released with minor injuries.
A 46-year-old Keaau woman was medevaced to the Queens Medical Center on Oahu in critical condition, another 46-year-old Keaau woman was transported to the North Hawaii Community Hospital in critical condition, and a 46-year-old Keaau woman was transported to the Hilo Medical Center in critical condition. A 55-year-old Keaau man was also transported to the North Hawaii Community Hospital in stable condition.
Police did not disclose the names of those injured.
The driver of the Nissan truck, identified as Alfred Berdon III, was arrested for two counts of negligent homicide, four counts of negligent injury, operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, driving while license suspended/revoked and no no fault insurance. He was also arrested for an outstanding bench warrant.
Berdon is being held at the East Hawaii Detention Center pending further investigation.
Police believe that alcohol and speed were a factor in this crash.
Traffic Enforcement Unit Officers have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to call Officer Paul Kim at 333-9708.
This is the 28th and 29th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared to 15 at the same time last year.