A 49-year-old Hakalau woman died Saturday night from injuries she suffered in a two-car collision that afternoon in North Kohala.
A 49-year-old Hakalau woman died Saturday night from injuries she suffered in a two-car collision that afternoon in North Kohala.
Police say Theresa Doris Pacheco was driving a 2003 Hyundai two-door sedan south at the 17-mile marker on Akoni Pule Highway shortly before 3 p.m., when she came upon a southbound 2013 Ford four-door sedan. Pacheco swerved to the right to try to avoid rear-ending the Ford, but sideswiped the right rear corner of the car.
Pacheco’s car then ran off the right side of the road and overturned. She was wearing a seatbelt but was partially ejected from the vehicle.
The Ford’s driver, a 62-year-old Atlanta man, was not injured.
Pacheco was pronounced dead at Kona Community Hospital at 8:11 p.m.
Police don’t yet know if alcohol or drugs were involved but say that speed was a factor in the crash.
A negligent homicide investigation has been opened and an autopsy ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
Pacheco’s death is the eighth traffic fatality on the Big Island this year, compared to one at the same time last year.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call Officer Larry Flowers at 326-4646, ext. 229.