HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
SERGEANT CHRISTOPHER D. GALI
PHONE: 961-8889
APRIL 21, 2005
C05013088/HL

MEDIA RELEASE UPDATE

Police have identified a 53-year-old woman who died of injuries she suffered in a three-car collision Wednesday (April 20, 2005) on Hawaii Belt Road.

The victim was identified as Janet Lee Cody, of Pepeekeo, South Hilo.

Responding to a 7:23 p.m. call, South Hilo patrol officers determined that the victim was driving a 1992 Honda two-door sedan in the Hilo direction when her car crossed the centerline at about three-tenths of a mile north of the eight-mile marker and sideswiped a 2000 Toyota four-door sedan traveling in the opposite direction. The Honda then struck a guardrail on the makai side of the road, continued in the Hilo direction and was struck by a 2003 Mazda four-door sedan also traveling in the opposite direction.

The driver of the Toyota, a 49-year-old female, was treated and released from the Hilo Medical Center.

The driver of the Mazda, a 36-year-old female, and two female passengers, ages 15 and 16, were taken to the Hilo Medical Center, where they were listed in serious condition.

It could not be immediately determined if speed or alcohol was involved in the crash.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a standard negligent homicide investigation into the crash and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of the woman’s death. Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident to call Officer Robert Pauole of the TEU at 961-2293.

Wednesday’s death was the 13th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year, compared to 17 at the same time last year.

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