Voice of Stephanie Salazar

An 18 year old Kona woman died and three others were injured after a one-car accident in the Kalaoa area of Kona on Saturday.

Police identified the victim as Chernell Kaili. Officials say the 2002 Ford Explorer vehicle that Kaili was driving ran off the road and overturned on Ahulani Street, a little less than a mile from Kauwila Street.

All four were wearing seatbelts, police say, and the three surviving passengers were treated for minor injuries and released.

Kaili had to be extricated from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at 6:35 a.m.

Police believe that alcohol and speed were contributing factors in the crash. A coroner’s inquest has been initiated and an autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

From the Hawaii County Police Department:

An 18-year-old Kailua-Kona woman died Saturday (April 9) from injuries she sustained in a one-vehicle crash on Ahulani Street, west of Kauwila Street in Kalaoa, North Kona.

The victim was identified as Chernell Kaili, of a Kailua-Kona address.

Responding to a 2:39 a.m. call, Kona patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 2002 Ford Explorer multi-purpose vehicle and traveling west on Ahulani Street when she lost control, ran off the right side of the road and overturned.

Two men, ages 19 and 20, and a 15-year-old girl were transported to Kona Community Hospital by Fire Department rescue personnel. They were treated for minor injuries and released.

The victim was pronounced dead at 6:35 a.m. at Kona Community Hospital.

All the occupants of the vehicle were wearing their seat belts.

Police believe that speed and alcohol were contributing factors in the crash.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a coroner’s inquest case and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Police ask anyone with information about this crash to call Officer Thomas Koyanagi at 326-4646, extension 229.

This is the seventh traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with eight at this time last year.