KAILUA-KONA — Police on Monday identified the 34-year-old Ocean View woman who died after the vehicle she was driving collided head-on with a pickup truck Friday evening in South Kona. ADVERTISING KAILUA-KONA — Police on Monday identified the 34-year-old Ocean
KAILUA-KONA — Police on Monday identified the 34-year-old Ocean View woman who died after the vehicle she was driving collided head-on with a pickup truck Friday evening in South Kona.
She was identified as Mona Yoshitaro.
Responding to a 7:18 p.m. call Friday, police determined that a 2003 Kia four-door sedan operated by Yoshitaro had been traveling north on Highway 11 near mile marker 96 when it crossed left of center on the roadway and collided head-on with a 2003 Nissan pickup truck that was traveling south, police said.
The occupants of the Nissan, a 66-year-old man and a 63-year-old woman, both of Ocean View, were taken to Kona Community Hospital for treatment of their injuries.
Yoshitaro was also taken to Kona Community Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 11:55 p.m. Friday.
Police believe speed and inattention were factors in the crash.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the accident to call Officer Christopher Kapua-Allison at 326-4646, ext. 229. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo.
This is the second traffic fatality this year compared with none at this time last year.
