Media Release

A 47-year-old Pa’auilo woman died Sunday (October 31) from injuries she received in a one-vehicle crash on Kukaiau Ranch Road 3.6 miles south of Hawai’i Belt Road (Route 19) in Pa’auilo.

The victim was identified as Debra A. Alani, of a Pa’auilo address.

Responding to a 11:29 a.m. call, Honoka’a patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 2008 Ford pickup truck and traveling north on Kukaiau Ranch Road when she lost control and ran off the left side of the road down a 30-foot embankment and overturned. The driver was not wearing her seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle.

The victim was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead at 6:30 p.m.

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

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

Police ask anyone with information about this crash to call Officer Clarence Davies at 961-8118.

Because this crash occurred on a private road, the death is not counted toward the island’s official traffic fatality count.