2 Victims from Fatal 3-Car Crash in Puna ID’d as Utah Couple

Two of the three victims from a fatal three-car crash in Puna on Sunday, Jan. 30, have been identified as Utah couple vacationing in Hawaiʻi.

According to a Facebook post from BYU Law School, a private institution located in Provo, Utah, the couple was identified as Rebecca van Uitert and her husband Jason Howell. In the post, it states Uitert’s brother, Jason, didn’t have many details many details surrounding the crash.

Uitert and Howell are survived by their four children who were at home in Utah with Uitert’s parents.

Click here to view the post.

The crash occurred at 7:33 p.m. on Highway 11 near mile Marker 18 in Glenwood. According to Hawai‘i police, a 2016 Toyota 4Runner traveling south, crossed the double solid yellow line and struck a 2020 Jeep SUV traveling north, head-on. After the initial collision, a 2000 Volvo sedan traveling south struck the Toyota 4Runner and sustained minor damage.

The two occupants of the 2020 Jeep SUV, a male driver and front female passenger, were unresponsive at the scene and were transported to Hilo Medical Center where they were pronounced dead at 12:25 a.m.

The female driver of the 2016 Toyota 4Runner was also unresponsive at the scene and was transported to HMC, where she was also pronounced dead at 12:25 a.m.

HPD has not reported the identities and the third victim from the crash remains unidentified.

“Many of us know and love Rebecca and Jason and their children, and we will be keenly interested in showing support for the family during this tragic time,” stated Dean D. Gordon Smith in the social media post.