Alcohol suspected in fatal crash

Speed and alcohol are believed to be factors in a single-car crash that killed a female passenger Saturday in North Kohala, a Big Island news release said.

At about 4 a.m. a 25-year-old man driving a 2006 Lexus sedan lost control while heading north on Akoni Pule Highway, crossed the center line and drove off the left side of the road, the release said.

A 24-year-old woman in the car, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected. The occupants were from North Kohala.

Police believe the crash may have occurred Friday night, but the man had been unconscious and did not call for help until waking up at 4 a.m. Saturday.

Fire rescue personnel took the man to North Hawaii Community Hospital. The woman was taken to Kona Community Hospital where she died at 9:31 a.m.

Police opened a negligent homicide case and ordered an autopsy to determine the woman's cause of death.

Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Marvin Troutman at 326-4646, ext. 229.

It was the 27th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year, compared with 35 at this time last year.