KAILUA-KONA A woman died from injuries suffered in a single-vehicle crash early Thursday in Hamakua.
KAILUA-KONA — A woman died from injuries suffered in a single-vehicle crash early Thursday in Hamakua.
The woman, identified as 23-year old Mackleen Victus, a resident of the Puna district, was riding in a 2002 Chevy Malibu when the vehicle went off Highway 19 and overturned near mile marker 48 in the vicinity of Camp Honokaia, the Boy Scout Camp above Honokaa. The crash occurred just after midnight Thursday.
The Hawaii Police Department says the Chevy Malibu was heading in the Hilo direction on Highway 19 and traveling at a high rate of speed when it overtook another vehicle in a no-passing zone with a solid line and a bend in the road.
As an oncoming vehicle approached, the Malibu appeared to swerve back into the Hilo-bound lane to avoid a head-on collision resulting in the driver subsequently losing control, running off the right shoulder before hitting the ground and flipping over, police said.
A total of five women were in the vehicle, police said noting that all were injured, one fatally. The victim and another woman were ejected from the rear seat. Neither had been wearing a seat belt. The other woman ejected from the vehicle is listed in critical condition and was flown to Oahu for care.
The crash caused a four-hour closure of Highway 19 and traffic was rerouted while police investigated. It has been learned that all of the occupants work at the same Waimea town establishment and were heading home after completing their shift for the night.
Traffic enforcement officers have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and additional negligent injury cases against the 18-year old driver from Waimea. Police believe that speed is a factor in the crash however they do not suspect that alcohol or drugs played a role.
Anyone with information or who may have witnessed the crash should call Officer Blayne Matsui at 961-2339.
This is the 13th traffic fatality this year compared to 15 at this time last year.
