KAILUA-KONA — A 41-year-old Holualoa woman was killed in a three-vehicle crash Monday night on Queen Kaahumanu Highway in North Kona.
The victim has been identified as Trina Walker, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
The crash, which occurred near mile marker 83 on the highway, south of the Kiholo Bay scenic outlook, was reported at 10:39 p.m.
Police say that the operator of a 2002 Volvo sedan, a 21-year-old Kailua-Kona man, had been traveling south when it was involved in a rear-end collision with a 2014 Volkswagen sedan driven by Walker, which had also been traveling south. This collision caused the Volkswagen sedan to spin and crossover into the northbound lane of the highway, where the Volkswagen sedan was then rear-ended by a northbound 2013 Honda sedan driven by a 31-year-old Waimea man.
The driver of the Volkswagen sedan, Walker, was taken to the Kona Community Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 2:57 a.m. Tuesday.
The 21-year-old Kailua-Kona man operating the Volvo sedan was taken to the Kona Community Hospital for treatment of his injuries suffered in the collision. Police said he is currently listed in stable condition.
The 31-year-old Waimea man driving the Honda sedan was taken to the North Hawaii Community Hospital where he was treated and released for his injuries suffered in the collision.
Police believe that speed was a factor in the collision, but it is not immediately known if alcohol was involved.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent homicide investigation and is asking for anyone who witnessed the crash to call Officer Justin Hooser at (808) 326-4646 ext. 229.
This is the sixth traffic fatality this year compared with four at this time last year.