One teen killed, three others injured in W. Hawaii traffic crash
Police are investigating a two-vehicle crash in Waikoloa that occurred Thursday morning in which a 17-year-old Waikoloa girl was killed and three other teens were seriously injured.
Police investigators who responded to a report of a crash at the intersection of Mamalahoa Highway (Highway 190) and Waikoloa Road (Highway 191) at 7:59 a.m. determined that a silver 2022 Chevrolet Spark sedan was making a left turn from Waikoloa Road onto Highway 190 when it was broadsided by a southbound white 2018 Peterbilt tractor trailer transporting 5,000 gallons of water.
The 17-year-old female driver of the Chevrolet, later identified as Jessica Ann Sprinkle of Waikoloa, was transported to Kona Community Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 11:51 a.m.
The 59-year-old male driver of the Peterbilt was not injured in the collision.
The Chevrolet had three female passengers, all of whom were seriously injured.
They were transported to North Hawaii Community Hospital for initial treatment. Two of the passengers were later transported to Oahu for additional care, and the third passenger remained at North Hawaii Community Hospital.
Police have initiated a major traffic collision investigation and are asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Dayson Taniguchi at (808) 326-4646 ext. 229 or email at dayson.taniguchi@hawaiicounty.gov.
This is the 24th traffic fatality this year compared to 15 at this time last year.
