Update: Police identify the victim of the fatal Christmas Eve motor vehicle collision

Update at 10 p.m. Dec. 25: Hawai‘i Island police have identified the 74-year-old victim who died following a fatal traffic collision on Daniel K. Inouye Highway on Wednesday evening as Judith Fitzgerald of Kailua-Kona.

At 7:28 p.m., officers responded to a two-vehicle collision 13-mile marker and determined that a 2020 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck was traveling Hilo bound (east) when it crossed the center line and struck a 2025 Mazda two-door convertible head-on as it was traveling Kona bound (west).

Fitzgerald, the operator of the Mazda, was located unresponsive at the scene and transported to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center where she was pronounced deceased at 7:59 p.m.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

The operator of the Toyota, 34-year-old Caitlin Smith of Hilo, sustained minor injuries and was taken to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center for treatment. Upon release, Smith was arrested for the following offenses:

• First-degree negligent homicide
• Operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant
• Reckless driving

After conferring with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, police released Smith around 7:55 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 25, pending further investigation.

The Area I Traffic Enforcement Unit responded to the scene and is continuing the investigation.  At this time, police believe speed, alcohol and/or drugs, and reckless driving were the primary factors in the crash.

Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact Officer Johnathan Rapoza at 808-961-2339 or by email at Johnathan.Rapoza@hawaiipolice.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.

This is the 21st traffic fatality of 2025 compared to 28 traffic fatalities at the same time last year.