A man and a woman died in a traffic crash Friday morning in North Kohala near mile marker 15 on Kohala Mountain Road. ADVERTISING A man and a woman died in a traffic crash Friday morning in North Kohala near
A man and a woman died in a traffic crash Friday morning in North Kohala near mile marker 15 on Kohala Mountain Road.
They have been identified as 77-year-old Albert Kita and 83-year-old Dorothy Kita, both of Hawi.
Responding to an 8:13 a.m. call, police determined that the operator of a 2007 Honda sports-utility vehicle had been traveling north on Kohala Mountain Road, when it failed to negotiate a turn, crossed the centerline of the highway and collided head-on with a 2008 Scion Xb that had been traveling south.
The driver and front seat passenger of the Scion were taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital. The driver, Albert Kita, was pronounced dead at 9:32 a.m. The passenger, Dorothy Kita, was pronounced dead at 12:15 p.m.
The driver of the Honda, a 29-year-old Hawi woman, was also taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital, where she is being treated for injuries sustained in the collision.
Police believe speed and inattention may have been factors in the collision.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent homicide investigation. Police ask anyone who witnessed the crash to call Officer Kimo Keliipaakaua at 326-4646, ext. 229. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
These are the 27th and 28th traffic fatalities this year compared with 16 at this time last year.
