Hawaii Police Department
Traffic Enforcement Unit
Sergeant Christopher D. Gali
Phone:  961-2332
February 17, 2008
Report No. C08005072

A 51-year-old woman from Utah died Sunday (February 17) from injuries she sustained in a motorcycle crash on the Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) at the top of the Hamakua end of Kaawalii Gulch.

The victim was identified as Vicki Lynn Crowley of Draper, Utah.

Responding to a 10:58 a.m. call, North Hilo patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 1991 Harley Davidson motorcycle and traveling north on the Hawaii Belt Road in the outer lane at the top of the gulch when she struck a sandbag on the roadway. The operator then lost control of the motorcycle and struck a wall.

The victim was transported to Hilo Medical Center by Fire Rescue personnel where she was pronounced dead at 12:10 p.m.  The victim was not wearing a helmet.

Police do not believe that speed or alcohol were involved in this crash.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a coroner's inquest case and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to call Officer Wendall Carter at 961-2293.

This is the seventh traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with seven at this time last year.