KAILUA-KONA — A 28-year-old Kailua-Kona woman died following a two-vehicle collision Tuesday on Highway 11.
The 28-year-old female has been identified as Shelby Ho’okahi.
Responding to a 5:52 a.m. call, police determined that Ho’okahi was operating a brown 2018 KIA Optima 4-door sedan when she crossed the double solid yellow lines near the 118-mile marker and struck a southbound black 2010 Lexus SUV head-on that was being operated by a 65-year-old Kailua-Kona woman.
The KIA also had a 3-year-old female child who was transported to Kona Community Hospital for treatment and was later released. Ho’okahi was transported to Kona Community Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead at 6:30 a.m.
Ho’okahi was not wearing her seat belt at the time of the crash.
The operator of the Lexus SUV was initially transported to Kona Community Hospital and was listed in critical condition. She was later transported to the Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu for further treatment. Her condition remains the same.
Police believe that speed and drugs are factors in the collision. The accident closed the highway between Kamehameha III Road and Laaloa Street for around five hours.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Jason Foxworthy at 326-4646 ext. 229.
On Tuesday night, Highway 190 was closed near Puuanahulu from Kaiminani Drive to Waikoloa Road due to another collision.
Hawaii Police confirmed one fatality from the crash.
Further details on the Tuesday night crash were not available by press time.