Three elderly men were injured and one elderly woman died during a fatal three-vehicle traffic collision on Daniel K. Inouye (DKI) Highway this weekend. On Saturday afternoon, responding officers learned that a 2023 BMW sedan traveling east on DKI Highway was overtaking vehicles when it struck a 2013 Ford SUV traveling west head-on. The Ford SUV then struck a 2007 Chevy pickup truck heading east as well. All three vehicles sustained major damage due to the collision. The operator of the BMW sedan, a 69-year-old Pāhoa man, sustained injuries and was transported to Hilo Medical Center where he was admitted for treatment. The driver the 2007 Chevy pickup truck, a 65-year-old man, also from Pāhoa, sustained minor injuries and was transported to Hilo Medical Center for treatment. An 85 year-old-man from Keauhou, who was operating the Ford SUV, sustained injuries and was transported and admitted to Hilo Medical Center for treatment. The front seat passenger of the Ford SUV, 80-year-old Diane Pittman, also from Keauhou, was unresponsive at the scene and transported to Hilo Medical Center where she was pronounced dead. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death. The East Hawai‘i Traffic Enforcement Unit responded to the scene and launched a negligent homicide investigation. At this time, police believe that speed and reckless driving were the primary factors in the crash. Anyone with information regarding this collision is encouraged to contact Officer Laurence Davis at (808) 961-2339 or via email at Laurence.Davis@hawaiicounty.gov.
