Editor’s note: updated post on the crash here.

UPDATED MEDIA RELEASE (2/24/10)

A 17-year-old Waikoloa girl died from injuries she sustained Tuesday, Feb. 23 in a two-vehicle crash on Queen Kaahumanu Highway at the 88 mile-marker in North Kona and just south of the Hualalai Resort.

The victim was identified as Angela Apostadiro of a Waikoloa address.

Responding to a 8:07 p.m. call, Kona patrol officers determined a 21-year-old Kealakekua man was operating a 2005 Hyundai multi-purpose vehicle and traveling south on Queen Kaahumanu Highway when he overtook a vehicle, continued south on the northbound shoulder and passed other vehicles traveling northbound while on the shoulder lane.

The Hyundai then collided with a taxi, a 2000 GMC van traveling north and being operated by a 50-year-old Waikoloa woman.

Both drivers and an 88-year-old woman visiting from France, who may have been a fare in the taxi, were transported by Fire Rescue personnel to the Kona Community Hospital.

The 17-year-old girl was a front seat passenger in the taxi and was the daughter of the driver. She was pronounced dead at 12:05 a.m. (Feb. 24).

Everyone involved was not wearing a seat belt.

The driver of the taxi and the 88-year-old woman were listed in serious condition. The 88-year-old woman was flown to The Queen’s Medical Center for further treatment.

Police believe that speed and alcohol contributed to this crash.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers arrested the driver of the Hyundai for negligent homicide, negligent injury, operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, and reckless driving.

He was being held in the Kona Police Station cellblock pending further investigation.

Queen Kaahumanu Highway was closed for several hours and traffic rerouted as traffic investigators and crime lab specialists documented the scene.

Police ask anyone who may have witnessed this crash or who has any information about it to call Officer Joshua Lewis at 326-4646, extension 229.

This is the seventh traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with four at this time last year.

MEDIA RELEASE

Fire/rescue crews responded to an 8 p.m. alarm to a fatal two vehicle crash on Queen Kaahumanu Highway near the 88 mile marker Tuesday (Feb 23).

A late model minivan and late model midsize SUV crashed together causing extensive damage to the front end and passenger sides of both vehicles resulting in a debris field approximately 150 yards long.

A 17 year-old girl died in the crash. Three other crash victims were transported to Kona Community Hospital: a 50 year-old woman an 87 year-old woman and 21 year-old male. The conditions of the three patients were not released.

The highway was closed shortly after the accident with detours at Waikoloa Road and Kaiminani Drive. Hawaii County Civil Defense reported the highway open at 4:45 a.m. Wednesday (Feb 24).