by Mindy Aguon

Guam - A woman was killed in a car crash in Dededo this morning. Traffic turning onto Route 3 from Marine Corps Drive is being diverted for the next few hours as the Guam Police Department's Highway Patrol Division investigates. The crash occurred near Okkodo High School just before six o'clock Saturday morning.

Officers and medics arrived at the scene and found two women inside a 1999 gold Ford Taurus that had crashed into a concrete utility pole. Police believe the female driver, who is currently listed in stable condition at the Guam Memorial Hospital lost control of the car and drove into the oncoming lane and into a utility pole. GPD spokesperson Officer A.J. Balajadia says medics had to use the Jaws of Life to extract the passenger, who is believed to be in her 20's.

GMH nursing supervisor Shirley Pinera says the female passenger was pronounced dead at 6:10am Saturday. Traffic investigators were activated to investigate the cause of the crash and determine if speed and/or alcohol were factors.

The woman's death marks the 12th traffic-related fatality this year to date, and the second this week. Harley Davidson store owner Bill Neilsen died early Tuesday after he crashed on his motorcycle while turning on to Alageta Street in Dededo. Neilsen died from head trauma. That crash remains under investigation as well.