An autopsy conducted on 63-year-old woman who was pronounced dead after a single-vehicle crash Saturday on Highway 19 in Papaikou determined the victim did not die from injuries suffered in the crash.
Jane Lawrence, of Laupahoehoe, died of natural causes that were unrelated to the injuries suffered in the traffic crash, the Hawaii Police Department announced Thursday. As a result, the death will not be counted as a traffic-related casualty.
The traffic fatality total for the calendar year 2020 remains at 12 compared to 13 at this time last year.
Responding to a 4:50 a.m. Saturday call, police determined that Lawrence was operating a 2006 Honda Civic traveling southwest on Highway 19 when the sedan veered across the center line and struck the Kaʻieʻie storm bridge guardrail head-on.
Lawrence was transported to Hilo Medical Center where she was initially listed in stable condition. At 5:05 p.m., she was pronounced dead.