Woman fatally struck by vehicle while crossing Kona highway
A 62-year-old Kailua-Kona woman died Tuesday after being struck by a vehicle while crossing Queen Kaahumanu Highway, north of its intersection with Palani Road, in Kailua-Kona.
The woman was identified Tuesday night by the Hawaii Police Department as Gloria Jean Sanchez.
Responding to a 5:06 p.m. call, police determined that a silver 2011 Mercury Milan four-door sedan was heading south on Queen Kaahumanu Highway when it struck Sanchez, who was crossing the multi-lane highway and was not in a marked crosswalk about 150 yards north of Palani Road.
The female pedestrian was transported to Kona Community Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 6 p.m.
The driver of the Mercury Milan, a 29-year-old Kailua-Kona man, was not injured in the crash.
Police do not suspect speed or impairment to be factors in the crash. The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent homicide investigation, and an autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash should contact Officer Len Hamakado at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229, or email at len.hamakado@hawaiicounty.gov. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
This is the 17 th traffic fatality this year compared to 11 at this time last year.
