HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
SERGEANT CHRISTOPHER D. GALI
PHONE: 961-2332
MARCH 13, 2006

MEDIA RELEASE

A 52-year old Kailua-Kona woman died Monday (March 13, 2006) from injuries she sustained in a two-vehicle collision on Route 190, 532 feet north of the 7-Mile Marker.

Responding to a 6:40 p.m. call, South Kohala patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 2006 Honda two-door sedan and traveling south on Rte. 190 when she lost control, crossed the centerline and collided with a 2000 Suzuki Mult-Purpose Vehicle traveling north. The driver of the Suzuki was a 51-year-old woman also from Kailua-Kona.

Both drivers were transported to the North Hawaii Community Hospital by Fire Rescue personnel where the victim died at 7:29 p.m. The driver of the Suzuki was listed in satisfactory condition.

It is unknown at this time if speed or alcohol were factors in this crash. Both drivers were wearing their seatbelts.

The name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a standard negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

This is the 9th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year, compared to ten at the same time last year.

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