NORTH KONA, Hawaii – Police have identified the woman and a man who died in a two-vehicle traffic crash Thursday afternoon (December 1) on Highway 190 in North Kona.
Killed in crash near the 31.5-mile marker was 45-year-old Jeongah Hyun of Kailua-Kona and 46-year-old Iljung Nam of South Korea.
Police released more information about the deadly traffic accident in a Friday media release:
Responding to a 12:35 p.m. call Thursday, police determined that Hyun had been operating a silver 2006 Mazda multi-purpose vehicle on Highway 190 just north of the 31.5-mile marker, when she crossed left of center and was broadsided by a white 2013 Peterbilt dump truck that was heading south on Highway 190. The operator of the dump truck, a 46-year-old Honokaʻa man, was taken to Kona Community Hospital with minor injuries. Hyun and Nam, her passenger, were pronounced dead at the hospital at 6:10 p.m. and 6:11 p.m., respectively.
The crash close the highway for hours Thursday.
Autopsies have been ordered to determine the exact causes of Hyun and Nam’s deaths.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent homicide investigation. Police ask anyone who witnessed the crash to call Officer Christopher Kapua-Allison at 326-4646, extension 229. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
This is the 30th traffic fatality this year compared with 17 at this time last year.
