HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
SERGEANT LEROY VICTORINO
PHONE: 961-2332
JANUARY 7, 2004
H-75972/KU

MEDIA RELEASE

A 40-year-old woman died Tuesday (January 6, 2004) of injuries she suffered in a two-car collision on Koa Lane in the private subdivision of Hawaiian Ocean View Estates in the Ka’u District.

The victim was identified as Elizabeth Mathewson, of Hawaiian Ocean View Estates.

Responding to an 11:45 a.m. call, Ka’u patrol officers determined that Mathewson was driving her 1986 Toyota station wagon south when it rear-ended a 1981 Jaguar four-door sedan driven by Andrew James, also of Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. Mathewson lost control of her vehicle and was ejected when it struck a utility pole.

The victim was taken to the Kona Community Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 6:40 p.m. James was not injured in the collision.

Police suspect that excessive speed was involved and believe the victim was not wearing her seat belt.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers are continuing an investigation into the collision and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Because the collision occurred on a private road, the death will not be counted as a traffic fatality.

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