Kau Traffic Fatality Reported Early Saturday
KAU, HI — A 51-year-old woman died following a rollover crash on Highway 11 early Saturday morning, according to the Hawaii County Police Department.
The woman, identified as Stephanie Ann Mello of Ocean View, was a passenger in a 2015 Toyota Tacoma. Authorities reported the crash occurred around 12:53 a.m. near the 76-mile marker after dispatch received both an automated crash alert and multiple 911 calls.
Preliminary investigations revealed that a 52-year-old Ocean View man driving a silver 2022 Toyota Highlander was making a right turn onto the eastbound lanes of Highway 11 from Kohala Boulevard when the Tacoma, traveling at high speed, swerved into the westbound lane to avoid a collision but struck the Highlander. Following the impact, both vehicles crashed into a guardrail, and the Tacoma overturned multiple times, ejecting Mello.
Mello was pronounced dead at Kona Community Hospital at 6:51 a.m. The Tacoma driver and a 60-year-old woman were transported to the same hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and are listed in stable condition.
Investigators indicated that occupants of the Tacoma were not wearing seatbelts. Speed and alcohol are considered contributing factors in this incident. The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent homicide investigation.
Witnesses are encouraged to contact Officer Adam Roberg at 808-326-4646, extension 3229. This incident marks the 20th traffic fatality on Hawaii Island this year, compared to 14 during the same period last year.