A 19-year-old Naalehu woman died in a single-vehicle collision late Thursday night near the 58-mile marker of Hawaii Belt Road (Highway 11) in Ka‘u.
She has been identified as Brittney Perry.
Officers responding to an 11:48 p.m. call, determined that Perry, who was driving a silver 2002 Honda Accord north, ran off the road into the gravel shoulder and then struck a utility pole head-on.
According to a written Fire Department release, she was pinned inside the car and died at the scene, although she was pronounced dead at Hilo Medical Center at 4:03 a.m. today.
Police believe inattention was a factor in this crash, but it is not immediately known if alcohol or drugs were a factor.
An autopsy has been ordered and police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Kimo Keliipaakaua at 326-4646, ext. 229, or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
This is the 23rd traffic fatality this year compared to 26 at this time last year.