81-year-old Hilo woman is killed in two-vehicle crash on Hawaii Belt Road
An 81-year-old woman died and an 89-year-old man was in critical condition after a two-vehicle crash today north of Hilo, Big Island police said.
Police identified the victim as Dorothy M. Decoito of Hilo.
The 89-year-old Hilo man was flown to the Queen’s Medical Center, police said.
Police said the man was driving a Ford sedan on Hawaii Belt Road when he made a left turn in front of an oncoming Ford pickup at Kulana Road about 10 a.m.
Decoito was the front seat passenger in the pickup, which was being driven by a 70-year-old Hakalau man. He was taken to Hilo Medical Center where he was treated for minor injuries and released, police said.
Decoito died at Hilo Medical Center at 12:09 p.m.
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Everyone was wearing a seat belt in the crash, police said.
Traffic investigators have opened a negligent homicide investigation and ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Anyone with information is asked to call officer Paul Kim at (808) 333-9708.
It was the 22nd Big Island traffic fatality this year compared to 19 at this time last year.