Hawai‘i Island police are currently conducting an investigation into a fatal traffic collision that involved a motor vehicle and a motorcycle on Highway 11 in Kea‘au. The accident, which claimed the life of a 32-year-old Puna man, occurred early Sunday morning, as reported in a recent Hawaii Police Department advisory
According to the Hawaii Police Department, the tragic event unfolded when a 2007 Dodge Caliber sedan made a left turn from Old Volcano Road onto the highway, colliding with a Yamaha motorcycle. The impact sent the motorcycle into another bike, ridden by a 38-year-old Puna woman, causing her to slide off the roadway. Responding to a 10:32 a.m. traffic collision call, police stated the Yamaha, lacking a license plate, was indiscernible in terms of make and model at the time of the incident.
Unresponsive at the scene, the lead motorcyclist was transported to Hilo Benioff Medical Center, where he was declared deceased at 10:45 a.m. Pending an autopsy to ascertain the exact cause of his death, the motorcyclist's identity is being withheld until the family is notified, as reported by the Hawaii Police Department.
The driver of the Dodge, a 34-year-old woman from Mountain View, together with her juvenile passenger, escaped injury and were taken to Hilo Benioff Medical Center as a precaution, wearing helmets, the motorcyclists were also reported by the Hawaii Police Department to have been wearing protective riding gear at the time of the collision. Police believe speed played a role but do not suspect alcohol and/or drugs to be a factor.
The female motorcyclist operating the Suzuki was conveyed by private vehicle to the same medical facility and is currently being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The East Hawaii Traffic Enforcement Unit has taken over the inquiry and is gathering evidence from several eyewitnesses, as per the Hawaii Police Department.
Hawaii Police Department are urging anyone with additional insights into the collision to reach out to Officer Jerome Duarte at (808) 961-2339 or via email at [email protected]. For those who wish to provide information anonymously, they can contact Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300. This accident marks the 4th road-related death this year, aligning with the count at the same time in the previous year.
