Woman killed, man arrested in crash
A 22-year-old Hilo woman died and a 26-year-old man was arrested after a single-car crash on the Big Island early yesterday.
Police said Tim Yasuho Inaba Young was pronounced dead at Hilo Medical Center at 7:44 a.m. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
Hilo police responded to a call shortly before 4:30 a.m.
A 1994 four-door sedan being driven by a 26-year-old Hilo man ran off the right side of Kalanianaole Avenue and struck a mail box and palm trees, police said.
The car had been traveling westbound near Akepa Street before the accident.
The driver was not wearing his seat belt and was ejected from the car. The passenger, who also was not wearing her seat belt, was trapped in the car and freed by rescue personnel. Both were taken to Hilo Medical Center, where the passenger later died.
Police arrested the driver at the hospital for suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence of intoxicating drugs, negligent homicide and lack of car insurance. But he remained at the hospital, where he was to undergo surgery, according to police, who did not have an update on his condition.
Police said they believe speed and alcohol contributed to the crash.
It was the 31st fatality on the Big Island compared to 32 at the same time last year.