MEDIA RELEASE

A 92-year-old Hilo woman died following a two vehicle crash Sunday afternoon (October 23) in Hilo.

She was identified as Masako Okano.

Responding to a 12:22 p.m. call, police determined that a 2000 Ford pickup truck was traveling south on Komohana Street and starting to make a left hand turn down Ponahawai Street when it was struck by a 2012 Nissan sedan that was traveling north on Komohana Street.

Okano, who was the front seat passenger of the sedan, was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead at 3:54 p.m.

The driver of the sedan, a 25-year-old Pāhoa woman, was also taken to Hilo Medical Center, where she was treated for her injuries and released.

The driver of the pickup, a 28-year-old man from Hauʻula, Oahu, was not injured.

Police do not know if speed was a factor in this crash but they do not believe alcohol was a factor.

The Area I Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent homicide investigation. Police ask anyone who witnessed the crash to contact Officer Clarence Acob at 961-2293 clarence.acob@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island wide Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.

This is the 24th traffic fatality this year compared with 16 at this time last year.