'ELE'ELE,Kaua'i — A 19-year-old Hanapepe woman was fatally injured this morning in a single-car crash near 'Ele'ele Shopping Center, police said.

Police identified the driver as Monique Place.

Place was driving west on Kaumuali'i Highway just east of the Waialo Road junction when she lost control of the vehicle about 3:54 a.m., police said. The vehicle crossed onto the eastbound shoulder, struck a fire hydrant and hit a metal utility pole, police said.

Place died at the scene. She was the only person in the vehicle.

Traffic on Kaumuali'i Highway was re-routed for about three hours while police investigated the accident. Speed appeared to be a contributing factor in this crash, police said.

It was Kaua'i's fifth traffic fatality this year.