PAHOA, HI : Big Island police investigating fatal crash in Pahoa on Thursday, January 5th 2017

One man is dead and three were seriously injured following a vehicle crash that happened Thursday night in Pahoa, officials said.

The crash happened just before 7 p.m. on Highway 130 near mile marker 13.

Big Island police investigators said a van sideswiped a pickup truck that was making a U-turn.

Police confirmed the backseat passenger of the truck, a 50-year-old man, was taken to the Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter. The driver of the pickup, a 74-year-old Pahoa woman, was treated for her injuries at the scene.

Three occupants in the van – the 30-year-old male driver, a 7-year-old female passenger and a 65-year-old female passenger – were also taken to the Hilo Medical Center with injuries.

The driver of the van, Justin Clark of Pahoa, was arrested for driving under the influence, driving without a license and driving without insurance. Police have opened a negligent homicide investigation and believe that alcohol and speed were factors in the crash.

A portion of Highway 130 was closed for several hours, between Leilani Boulevard and Malama Street, while police investigated.

Source :
Big Island police investigating fatal crash in Pahoa