A 17-year-old female died following a single-vehicle collision on Friday, July 22, 2022, on the Old Saddle Road (Waki‘i Road), .3 mile west, (makai), of the 44 mile marker in South Kohala.
The 17-year-old has been positively identified as Tobey Grace Crowe of Kailua-Kona.
Responding to a 11:48 a.m. call, police determined that a white 2016 Toyota 4Runner SUV driven by Crowe was heading east, (mauka), when it failed to negotiate a right hand turn and ran off the roadway. The Toyota 4Runner then struck a dirt embankment and rolled over several times, ejecting Crowe. She was transported to the Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital where she later died at 12:51 p.m.
Two 17-year-old female passengers from Waikoloa within the vehicle were also injured. Both females were also taken to the Queen’s North Hawaii Community hospital for treatment where they are both listed in stable condition.
Police believe that speed is a factor in the crash. Also the driver was not wearing her seatbelt.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Len Hamakado at (808) 326-4646 Ext. 229 or email at len.hamakado@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
This is the 23rd traffic fatality this year compared to 13 at this time last year.