Police are seeking witnesses to a fatal collision, including a woman who talked to a fire fighter at the scene.
Police are seeking witnesses to a fatal collision, including a woman who talked to a fire fighter at the scene.
The two-vehicle crash on early Friday evening on Highway 11 at the 21-mile marker in Glenwood killed 32-year-old Crystal M. Mercado-Lopez of Pahoa.
Officers responding to a 5 p.m. call determined that Mercado-Lopez was driving a 2001 Plymouth four-door sedan south on Route 11 when she crossed the centerline and sideswiped a northbound 1997 Ford F-150 pickup truck.
Fire Rescue personnel took Mercado-Lopez and her passenger, her 8-month-old daughter, to Hilo Medical Center.
Mercado-Lopez was pronounced dead at 5:56 p.m. The child was not injured.
The truck’s driver, 48-year-old Kevin McGuire of Mountain View, was also uninjured.
Police do not believe that speed, alcohol or drugs were factors in this crash.
Both drivers were wearing their seat belts and the child was in a child restraint seat.
A negligent homicide investigation has been opened and an autopsy ordered.
Mercado-Lopez’s death is the 11th official traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared to 12 at this time last year.
Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Erhard Autrata at 961-8118.