MEDIA RELEASE

A 88-year-old woman from Pa‘auilo died Wednesday (June 2) from injuries she sustained in a two-vehicle crash which occurred on May 19, 2010 at the intersection of Route 19 and Papalele Street in Kalopa.

The victim was identified as Beatrice Yago of a Pa‘auilo address.

Responding to a 6:30 p.m. call, Hamakua patrol officers determined that a 89-year-old Pa‘auilo man was operating a 1994 Toyota Multi-Purpose Vehicle and traveling west on Route 19 when he initiated a left turn, failing to yield the right of way and was struck by a 2010 Ford two-door sedan traveling east.

The victim, who was a passenger in the Toyota was transported to the North Hawaii Community Hospital where she died Wednesday at 3:52 p.m.

The driver of the Toyota was not injured. They both were wearing their seatbelts.

The driver of the Ford, a 32-year-old woman from Pāhoa and her passengers were not injured.

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.

Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to call Officer Andre Fojas at 961-8889.

This is the 16th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared to ten at the same time last year.