On Wednesday October 19, a 49-year-old woman was killed in a single-vehicle traffic collision near Kahakai Boulevard and Welea Street in Pāhoa.

Responding HPD investigators determined that a 2011 Mazda sedan traveling east on Kahakai Boulevard missed a right curve onto Welea Street and ran off the road hitting a rock wall.

The driver, and sole occupant of the vehicle, was unresponsive at the scene and transported to Hilo Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death. She will remain unidentified pending positive identification and notification of his next of kin.

Police determined that speed and inattention are the two primary factors in the crash.  The roadway was also reportedly dry at the time of the collision. The East Hawaiʻi Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation, which is pending.

Police are asking anyone who has information about the incident to contact Officer Jared Cabatu at (808) 961-2339 or via email at Jared.Cabatu@HawaiiCounty.gov.