The woman has been identified as Helen Nakaza of Hilo, according to police.

Responding to an 11:11 p.m. call on Sept. 29, South Kohala patrol officers determined that a 2005 Ford van was traveling east on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 19) when a large tree branch fell on the van 107 feet west of Kalake Street.

Nakaza, who was a passenger in the van, was taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital and later flown to The Queens Medical Center in Honolulu. She died at the hospital at 12:30 p.m. Yesterday, police said.

Another passenger in the van, a 53-year-old Hilo man, was not injured.

Alcohol and speed are not considered factors in the crash.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a standard negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

This is the 29th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 29 at this time last year. Nakaza, who was a passenger in the van, was taken to North Hawai'i Community Hospital and later flown to The Queens Medical Center in Honolulu. She died at the hospital at 12:30 p.m. Yesterday, police said.

Another passenger in the van, a 53-year-old Hilo man, was not injured.

Alcohol and speed are not considered factors in the crash.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a standard negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.