Woman who died in Big Isle crash identified
A 37-year-old woman who died in a two-vehicle crash on the Big Island has been identified as Lori Ann Sato.
Sato of Papaaloa died Saturday at Hilo Medical Center. An autopsy is expected to be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
Shortly before 4 p.m. in Paauilo Saturday, police said a 2004 Honda sedan operated by Sato was traveling northbound on Highway 19 near the 34-mile marker. The sedan overtook anther vehicle in a no passing zone and was broadsided by a 1999 Toyota pickup truck traveling southbound.
Sato was transported to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Police said a front-seat passenger of the Toyota described as a 21-year-old Pepeekeo man, was transported to North Hawaii Community Hospital in stable condition where he was treated and released for his injuries.
The pick-up truck driver, a 20-year-old Pepeekeo man, was uninjured.
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Both the passenger and the driver were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.
Police said Sato was not wearing a seatbelt.
Speed was a factor on the part of the Honda. Police said it’s unknown at this time whether alcohol was involved.
This is the 30th traffic-related fatality on the Big Island, the same number of traffic fatalities that occurred at the same time last year.
