HILO, Hawai'i — A 12-year-old Na'alehu boy died yesterday from injuries he suffered when the car he was riding in struck a utility pole and overturned in Discovery Harbour in Ka'u.

Blaycen Jara was pronounced dead at Kona Community Hospital at 7:52 p.m.

Police were called to the crash scene on Kamaoa Road just south of Holokai Street at 2:14 p.m. and learned a 17-year-old Na'alehu boy was driving north on Kamaoa Road in a 1994 Honda two-door sedan when he lost control and struck utility pole.

The 17-year-old driver was taken to Kona Community Hospital where he was listed in guarded condition. Another passenger in the vehicle, an 18-year-old Na'alehu man, was flown by the Fire Department helicopter to Hilo Medical Center, where he was listed in serious condition.

It is not yet known if alcohol was involved in the crash, but speed was a factor, police said. The three occupants of the vehicle were not wearing seat belts.

Jara's death is the 24th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year, compared with 35 at this time last year.