A 79-year-old Hilo woman was struck and killed by a pickup today in downtown Hilo.

Big Island police identified the victim as Tomiko K. Shimazu.

Police said a 62-year-old man driving a 2005 Ford F-150 pickup was making a left turn from Haili Street when he hit Shimazu who was in a crosswalk on Kinoole Street about 8:50 a.m.

Shimazu was taken to the Hilo Medical Center where she died at 12:02 p.m. The driver was not injured, police said.

Traffic investigators have opened a negligent homicide investigation and ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Anyone who may have seen the crash is asked to call officer Robert Pauole at (808) 961-8119. 

It was the 21st traffic fatality this year on the Big Island compared to 19 at this time last year.