Teenaged girl airlifted to O’ahu hospital in critical condition after 2-vehicle crash in Hilo

A two-vehicle traffic crash that occurred on Wednesday night on Daniel K. Inouye Highway near the 9-mile marker in Hilo caused injuries to four people, including an 18-year-old female who was airlifted to an O’ahu hospital in critical condition, according to the Hawai’i Island police.
 
At 6:07 p.m., police responded to the accident. Police investigators determined a 2020 Ford Expedition SUV, driven by a 45-year-old man from South Carolina, was traveling west (uphill) on the highway when it appears to have hydroplaned, spun out and crossed the center line.

The Ford’s right-rear corner collided with the front of a 2017 Toyota Sienna passenger van, driven by a 32-year-old man from Hilo.

The roadway was wet and visibility was low due to fogging.
 
The SUV contained five members of a family from South Carolina — the driver, his 44-year-old wife and three children: two sons, age 15 and 22, and an 18-year-old daughter.

The passenger van was occupied by the operator.

Three occupants from the SUV, and the driver of the passenger van sustained injuries from the collision and were transported to Hilo Medical Center for treatment and further evaluation. The 18-year-old female was transported to Queens Medical Center on O’ahu in critical condition.
 
Hilo Patrol officers have initiated a negligent injury investigation, which is pending. The East Hawai’i Traffic Enforcement Unit will be assisting. Police believe that a combination of speeding and wet roadways played a role in the collision.
 
Hawai‘i Island police are asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who has information about it to contact Officer Devon Manuel at 808-935-3311 or via email
at devon.manuel@HawaiiCounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.