A 23-year-old Hawaii island woman died Sunday after the car she was riding in ran off the road and hit a lava rock wall, throwing her into a lava field in Captain Cook.

Hawaii County police identified the victim as Jessica E. Uulopa of Captain Cook.

Uulopa was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 12:25 a.m. Sunday. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death.

The car’s driver, a 21-year-old woman, was arrested on suspicion of negligent homicide and operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant. She has been released pending further investigation.

The accident occurred at about 8 p.m. Saturday on Puuhonua Road in Captain Cook north of Highway 160 and the 3-mile marker.

Police said Uulopa was the back-seat passenger in the car, which was traveling south on Puuhonua Road. The car ran off the west shoulder of the roadway, struck the lava rock wall and overturned, ejecting Uulopa into a lava field.

Police say speed, inattention and alcohol were factors in the crash.

Police ask anyone who witnessed the crash to call officer Kimo Keliipaakaua at 326-4646, ext. 229.

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Star-Advertiser staff