Woman killed in lava field crash identified
Hawaii County police identified a 23-year-old woman killed when the car she was riding in ran off the road and hit a lava rock wall throwing her into a lava field.
Big Island police identified the victim as Jessica E. Uulopa, of Captain Cook.
Paramedics took Uulopa to Kona Community Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 12:25 a.m. Sunday. An autopsy has been ordered to determine cause of death.
Officers arrested the driver of the PT Cruiser, 21-year-old Matelita A. Taumoefolao of Kailua-Kona on suspicion of negligent homicide and operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant. She was released pending further investigation.
The accident occurred before 8 p.m. Saturday on Puuhonua Road in Captain Cook north of Highway 160 and the 3-mile marker.
Police said that Uulopa was the back-seat passenger in a 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser that was traveling south on Puuhonua Road. The car ran off the west shoulder of the roadway, struck a lava rock wall and overturned, ejecting Uulopa into a lava field.
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Police believe speed, inattention and alcohol were factors in this crash.
Police ask anyone who witnessed the crash to call Officer Kimo Keliipaakaua at 326-4646, extension 229. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
This is the 12th traffic fatality this year on Hawaii island roads compared with seven at this time last year.
2 responses to “Woman killed in lava field crash identified”
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My daughter took driver education in high school. She was taught that she will not drive unless everyone is wearing seat belts.
My deepest ALOHA to her ohana. Another passenger is the victim in a crash. The driver that caused her death lives to see another day. Senseless…