Hawai‘i Island police are investigating a single-vehicle collision in Keaʻau that left one woman dead.Jerome.Duarte@HawaiiCounty.gov.
Responding Puna patrol officers determined that three adult females and two minors were riding in a Polaris Utility Terrain Vehicle, (UTV), traveling south on 41st Avenue when it took a wide left turn onto Aulii Street, causing the operator to lose control of the vehicle resulting in a roll-over crash. The operator, identified as 42-year-old Jessica Santos of Pahoa, was unresponsive at the scene and was transported to Hilo Medical Center where she was pronounced dead. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death. One of the minors reportedly sustained minimal injuries that did not require further medical attention at the scene. The remaining three occupants were not injured in the collision. Currently, police believe that speed and inattention are contributing factors to this collision. The East Hawaiʻi Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest and will continue their investigation into this traffic collision. Police are asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who has information about it, to contact Officer Jerome Duarte at (808) 961-2339 or via email at