KAILUA-KONA — An 84-year-old Pahala woman died following a single-vehicle crash Monday afternoon near mile marker 51 on Highway 11 in Pahala.
KAILUA-KONA — An 84-year-old Pahala woman died following a single-vehicle crash Monday afternoon near mile marker 51 on Highway 11 in Pahala.
The Hawaii Police Department identified the victim Tuesday afternoon as Julia Gonzaga.
Responding to a 12:29 p.m. Monday call, police determined that a 2012 Mazda minivan operated by an 84-year-old Pahala man had been traveling south on Highway 11 near mile marker 51, when the van ran off the west shoulder of the road and struck a rock embankment.
After the initial impact, the van veered across the highway and struck another rock embankment on the east shoulder. From the collision, the front seat passenger Julia Gonzaga suffered critical injuries.
Gonzaga was taken to the Hilo Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead at 2:08 p.m. Monday.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent homicide investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the accident to contact Officer Justin Hooser at 326-4646, ext. 229. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
This is the 12th traffic fatality on Hawaii Island public roads this year compared to 17 at this time last year.
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