17-year-old driver killed in early June fatal crash on Daniel K. Inouye Highway identified

The driver of a Toyota who was killed in a traffic crash earlier this month on Daniel K. Inouye Highway was identified by Hawai‘i Island police as 17-year-old Mackenzie Valentin of Hilo.

Police responded just after 8:30 a.m. June 4 to the traffic crash near the 18-mile marker on the highway, also called Saddle Road, and determined a 2003 Toyota 4-Runner multi-purpose vehicle driven by Valentin was traveling westbound, or in the Kona direction, when she lost control while driving through a curve.

The Toyota hydroplaned into the eastbound lane, or toward Hilo, and was broadsided by a 2024 Ford F450 commercial truck. The collision caused major damage to both vehicles, and the Toyota subsequently caught on fire as a result of the collision.

Valentin was trapped inside and unresponsive when first responders arrived. Fire personnel extinguished the fire and she was transported to Hilo Benioff Medical Center, where she was officially pronounced dead at 11:30 a.m.

The 53-year-old Kailua-Kona man driving the Ford also was transported to Hilo Benioff Medical Center and treated for minor injuries.

Police do not think speed or intoxication are factors in the crash; however, weather might have been a factor.

Hawai‘i Police Department Area I Traffic Enforcement Unit responded to the scene and continues to investigate.

Police ask anyone who has additional information about this collision to contact Officer Laurence Davis at 808-961-2339 or via email at Laurence.Davis@hawaiipolice.gov.

Those who want to remain anonymous can call the islandwide Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.