A 22-year-old Honoka’a woman died Wednesday (November 18) from injuries she sustained in a two-vehicle crash on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19), 300 feet west of the 52-mile marker in the Hāmākua District.

The victim was identified as Keshia A. Fernandez of a Honoka’a address.

Responding to a 7:30 a.m. call, South Kohala and Hāmākua patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 1998 Honda four-door sedan and traveling west on the Hawaii Belt Road when she lost control, crossed the centerline and collided with a 2002 Ford multi-purpose vehicle traveling east.

The victim was taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 8:22 a.m.

Fernandez was wearing her seat belt.

The driver of the Ford, a 34-year-old woman from Kamuela, three boys ages 14, 4 and 2, and a 13-year-old girl were taken to the same hospital with minor injuries.

It is unknown at this time if speed, alcohol or drugs were involved in this crash.

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

Police would like to remind motorist to drive according to the weather conditions, as the highway was wet at the time of this collision.

Police ask anyone who may have witnessed the crash to call Officer Joshua Lewis at 326-4646, extension 229.

This is the 21^st traffic fatality on Big Island this year compared with 24 at this time last year.

---