Woman dies after Jeep rolls off highway

Maui police say speed and alcohol were involved in a crash Monday off Hana Highway that killed a 57-year-old woman who was riding in a Jeep.

Police said Ricky Johnson was driving toward Hana in the Jeep Wrangler on a straight portion of the highway, east of Nahiku Road, when he crossed the oncoming lane of traffic and drove off the ocean side of the road. The Jeep dropped about five feet and overturned.

The woman was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the Jeep. She was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center where she died at 6:25 p.m. Monday. Her name was being withheld until her family was notified.

Johnson, 39, who was using his seat belt, was treated and released at Maui Memorial Medical Center. After his release, he was booked on suspicion of first-degree negligent homicide and released pending investigation.

Police said the roadway does not have guardrails in the area of the 3:42 p.m. crash. The speed limit is posted at 15 mph.

Unidentified man found in ocean in Pohoiki

Hawaii County police are asking the public for information about a man whose body was found Tuesday in the ocean off Pohoiki.

A county lifeguard found the body partially submerged close to the shoreline near Isaac Hale Beach Park about 10 a.m. Tuesday, police said.

The man appeared to be in his 50s and has not been identified. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday.

Police ask anyone with information about the case to call Detective Norbert Serrao at 961-2383 or email him at nserrao@co.hawaii.hi.us.

Anonymous tips can be made to CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.

Taxi driver robbed, cab also stolen

A taxicab driver says a man he picked up in Waikiki robbed him and drove off in his cab Monday night.

The driver, 48, told officers he picked up the man just after 8 p.m. and drove him to the Pearl Harbor area, where the suspect showed him a weapon, then took property and his vehicle. The car was recovered a short time later.

Police did not say where the vehicle was found and did not release a description of the suspect.