Big Island crashes kill a motorcyclist, injure two others

Police say three motorcycle crashes within a 3-hour time span this morning killed one rider and injured the other two seriously.

The first, at about 7:26 a.m. involved a motorcycle and a Honda Sedan on Highway 19 near the intersection of Hau Street, just north of Hilo’s Singing Bridge.

According to police, both vehicles were northbound on the highway when the sedan made a U-turn in front of the motorcycle, which struck the sedan broadside.

The motorcyclist, who wasn’t wearing a helmet, was taken to Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead around 8:14 a.m.

His identity remains unknown at this time.

The driver of the sedan, a 63-year-old woman, was treated and released for minor head injuries at Hilo Medical Center.

A negligent homicide investigation has been opened. Police think inattention may have caused the crash, but haven’t yet ruled out alcohol or drugs as contributing factors pending further testing and investigation.

This is the 18th official traffic fatality on the Big Island in 2022, compared to 11 fatal traffic collisions during the same time period last year.

The second crash, at about 7:42 a.m. occurred near the intersection of Kaiminani Drive and Ili Ili Street in North Kona.

Police say a white 1998 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck was heading makai 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 ridden by a 57-year-old Kailua-Kona man.

The motorcyclist, who was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where he is listed in critical condition.

The 61-year-old man driving the pickup wasn’t injured.

Then, at 10:23 a.m. a motorcyclist collided with a van stopped at the intersection of Mamaki Street and Highway 11 in Hilo, police said.

The motorcyclist, a 28-year-old Hilo man, who wasn’t wearing a helmet, was taken to Hilo Medical Center in critical condition. He was later upgraded to stable condition and remains hospitalized.

The van was driven by a 48-year-old man from Tuscon, Ariz., traveling with his family. None of the van occupants were injured.

Police are investigating this collision as a negligent injury.