Hawai‘i Island police identify woman killed in single-vehicle crash in Puna

Hawai‘i Island police have identified the woman who died in a single-vehicle traffic collision in Kea‘au on Monday as 45-year-old Renoo Gilbert.

Responding to a 9:34 p.m. call, police determined that a 2018 Nissan Sentra four-door sedan was traveling east on Maku‘u Drive in the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision when it failed to stop at the posted stop sign at the intersection of Maku‘u Drive and Ala Heiau Road. The vehicle continued traveling east, striking a rock wall.

Gilbert, who lived in Kea‘au, and was the sole occupant in the vehicle, was unresponsive at the scene. She was taken to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center where she was pronounced deceased at 11:34 p.m. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

The East Hawai‘i Traffic Enforcement Unit responded to the scene and is continuing the investigation. At this time, police believe that alcohol, inattention, and not wearing a seatbelt, were the primary factors in the crash.

A coroner’s inquest has been initiated and if anyone has information regarding this collision they are asked to contact Officer Jerome Duarte at 808-961-2339 or via email at Jerome.Duarte@hawaiicounty.gov.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.

This is the ninth traffic fatality of 2025 as compared to five traffic fatalities this same time last year.