A fatal traffic collision in Pāhoa has claimed the life of an unidentified cyclist. The incident involved a vehicle and the bicyclist on Monday evening. Michael L. Richardson, 36, the driver implicated in the incident, has been arrested on multiple charges following the event.
According to police reports, Richardson, a Pāhoa resident, was driving a 2018 Volkswagen GTI sedan east on Kahakai Boulevard and struck the male cyclist, who was also heading east in the same lane. The victim, believed to be in his 50s, was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead after being rushed to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Richardson now faces first-degree negligent homicide, among other offenses, for his role in the collision.
Hawai‘i Island police have determined that at around 7:57 p.m. Richardson's sedan collided with the victim's blue mountain bike. Richardson has been charged with first-degree negligent homicide, operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, and driving without insurance. He remains in custody at the Hilo Police Station as the investigation continues.
Authorities are seeking information regarding the collision and urge witnesses to come forward. The East Hawaii Traffic Enforcement Unit is requesting anyone with details to contact Officer Jerome Duarte at (808) 961-2339 or via email at [email protected]. Anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 in Hilo. This marks the 29th traffic fatality on Hawai‘i Island in 2024, an increase compared to 15 fatalities reported by the same time last year.
