POLICE MEDIA RELEASE

An 81-year-old Hilo woman died Wednesday (September 22) from injuries she sustained in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Hawai’i Belt Road (Route 19) and Kulana Road north of Hilo.

The victim was identified as Dorothy M. Decoito of a Hilo address.

Responding to a 10 a.m. call, South Hilo patrol officers determined that an 89-year-old Hilo man was operating a 2002 Ford four-door sedan and was traveling north on Route 19 when he made a left turn in front of a 1988 Ford pickup truck traveling south and being operated by a 70-year-old Hakalau man. The victim was a front-seat passenger in the sedan.

Fire Department rescue personnel took both drivers to Hilo Medical Center.

The 89-year-old man was flown to The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu in critical condition.

The driver of the Ford truck was treated and released with minor injuries.

The victim was pronounced dead at 12:09 p.m. at Hilo Medical Center.

Police do not believe that speed, alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash. Everyone was wearing a seat belt.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Police ask anyone with information on this crash to call Officer Paul Kim at 333-9708.

This is the 22nd traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 19 at this time last year.

FIRE MEDIA RELEASE

Fire/rescue crews responded to a 10:06 a.m. alarm Wednesday (Sept 22) for a two car crash at the intersection of Kulana Street and Highway 19 in North Hilo.

Two occupants were in serious condition and were transported to Hilo Medical Center via ambulances. A third person died at the scene.

The cause of the crash is under investigation by police. There were no roadblocks at the scene and fire department crews were back in the station by noon.