Utah couple killed in tragic car crash in Hawaii leaving four children

HILO, Hawaii — Three people, including a Utah couple, were killed in a three-car collision on Sunday, according to the Hawaii Police Department.

Hawaii Island police reported that the crash occurred at 7:33 p.m. on Highway 11 in Glenwood when a 2016 Toyota 4Runner traveling south crossed the double yellow line and struck a 2020 Jeep SUV traveling north head-on. After that initial collision, a 2000 Volvo sedan traveling south struck the Toyota 4Runner and sustained minor damage. The two occupants of the Jeep were found unresponsive and sent to the Hilo Medical Center where they were pronounced dead at 12:25 a.m.

The female driver of the 2016 Toyota 4Runner was also found unresponsive and transported to Hilo Medical Center where she was pronounced dead at 12:25 a.m.

The driver of the 2000 Volvo sedan, a 72-year-old male, had minor injuries and was transported to the Hilo Medical Center where he was treated and later released.

According to a release from Hawaii police, autopsies have been ordered to determine the cause of death for the three dead individuals. Highway 11 was closed for six hours to clean hazardous vehicle fluids off the road and conduct an investigation of the crash.

Among the people killed were a couple with ties to Utah, Rebecca van Uitert, and her husband, Jason Howell. The couple leaves behind 4 children. BYU Law School made a post sharing their shock at the news of the couple’s untimely deaths.

A Facebook post from the Exponent, a magazine and blog that is a “feminist forum for Mormon women’s voices,” shared condolences for the passing of one of their “dear Exponent sisters.”

The release stated, “Police investigating the incident believe that inattention and speed are contributing factors in this traffic collision. Police are still awaiting additional testing results to determine other potential causes of the collision.”