Man who died in two-car Hawaii island crash is identified

Hawaii County police have identified the man who died Thursday in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 11 in front of Hirano Store as John K. Isabel Jr., 57, of Glenwood.

Police said Isabel was driving north on Highway 11 in a 2001 Ford four-door station wagon when he made a left turn into the Hirano Store lot about 4:30 p.m. 

A 2005 Dodge van following Isabel’s vehicle hit the station wagon when the driver, a 33-year-old Glenwood woman, crossed the center line, police said. 

Emergency personnel pronounced Isabel dead at the scene. Fire Department rescue personnel took the driver of the Dodge van to to Hilo Medical Center. No information was available on her condition. Isabel was not wearing a seat belt; the van’s driver was wearing a seat belt, police said.

Police ask that anyone with information about the crash call officer Tuckloy Aurello at 961-8119.