A Puna woman died Friday morning in a two-vehicle collision on Highway 11 near Mamaki Street in Hilo.
According to Hawaii island police, the incident occurred at 7:08 a.m. A 2017 Honda Accord traveling east on Mamaki Street attempted to cross Highway 11 but failed to yield to a southbound 2012 Toyota Tacoma, which subsequently struck the Honda.
The driver of the Honda, 32-year-old Michaelah Turner of Kurtistown, was pronounced dead at Hilo Benioff Medical Center at 8:35 a.m., police said. A 13-year-old male passenger in the Honda was transported to the medical center with non-life-threatening injuries.
The 17-year-old driver of the Toyota and her 15-year-old passenger, both from Hilo, were taken to the medical center via private vehicle for treatment of minor injuries.
Authorities are continuing the investigation, classified as a coroner's inquest. At this time, police indicated that alcohol or drugs are not suspected as factors in the crash.
Anyone with information about the collision is urged to contact Officer Joshua Rodby-Tomas at (808) 961-2339 or via email at Joshua.Rodby-Tomas@hawaiicounty.gov. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
This incident marks Hawaii island's third traffic fatality of the week and the eighth for 2023, compared to 12 fatalities at this time last year, authorities noted.