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Hawaiʻi Island Police Investigating Multiple Motorcycle Crashes

Hawai‘i Island police are investigating three separate motorcycle collisions that occurred within a three-hour time span. As a result of the collisions, one motorcyclist was killed and two others were seriously injured.

The first collision, which occurred yesterday morning, involved a motorcycle and a Honda sedan, occurred on Māmalahoa Highway near the intersection of Hau Street, just north of Hilo.
Investigators determined the two vehicles were heading north on the highway when the sedan made a U-turn in front of the motorcycle. The motorcycle struck the sedan broadside. The operator of the motorcycle was not wearing a helmet.

The motorcyclist, whose identity remains unknown at this time, was taken to Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead later that morning. The driver of the sedan, a 63-year-old woman, was transported to Hilo Medical Center for minor head injuries and later released.  Authorities believe inattention may have caused the crash, but have not yet ruled out alcohol or drugs as contributing factors pending further testing and investigation into the incident.
The East Hawaii Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent homicide investigation, which is pending. Police are asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Jerome Duarte at (808) 961-2339 or via email Jerome.Duarte@HawaiiCounty.gov.

The second of three incidents involved a a two-vehicle collision that occurred near the intersection of Kaiminani Drive and Ili Street in North Kona severely injuring a 57-year-old Kailua-Kona male motorcyclist.  Police determined that a white 1998 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck was heading west when it began to merge back onto the westbound lane from the shoulder of the roadway. As the pickup truck entered the westbound lane, it was struck by a black 2001 Harley-Davidson motorcycle operated by the Kailua-Kona man. 
 
The motorcyclist, who was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, was transported to the Kona Community Hospital where he is listed in critical condition.  The 61-year-old male driver of the pickup truck was not injured in the crash.
 
The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a major traffic investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Adam Roberg at (808) 326-4646 ext. 229, or email at adam.roberg@hawaiicounty.gov
 
The third incident happened later in the day at the intersection of Mamaki Street and Highway 11 in Hilo where a motorcyclist, who was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. struck a van that was stopped. The motorcyclist, a 28-year-old Hilo man, was taken to the Hilo Medical Center in critical condition and was later upgraded to stable condition

The van was operated by a 48-year-old man from Tuscon, Arizona, traveling with his family. None of the van occupants were injured in the incident. Police are investigating this collision as a negligent injury.

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