Two individuals died Saturday night following a traffic accident around 7:32 p.m. on Queen Kaahumanu Highway.
Two individuals died Saturday night following a traffic accident around 7:32 p.m. on Queen Kaahumanu Highway.
The Hawaii Police Department reports the accident happened at mile marker 94 and involved a total of three motor vehicles — two sedans and one motorcycle.
According to police, Rick Dupont of Kailua-Kona, 47, and his passenger died following the crash.
The passenger has not yet been identified.
Lt. William Souther said police responded to a 7:32 p.m. call and later determined that a 23-year-old woman was driving a Nissan Altima south on Queen Kaahumanu Highway when the vehicle crossed the road left of center and sideswiped a 2010 Ford Fusion heading north and then struck head on a 2013 Honda CRF 250 L motorcycle also northbound.
Dupont and his passenger were thrown from the motorcycle upon impact, police said.
They were taken to Kona Community Hospital where they were pronounced dead shortly before midnight.
An autopsy is being ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
The driver of the Nissan Altima was arrested for negligent homicide in the first degree and was released pending investigation, police said.
Police closed a portion of Queen Kaahumanu Highway from 7:45 p.m. Saturday to 2:20 a.m. Sunday following the accident.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call Officer Kimo Keliipaakaua at 326-4646, ext. 229.
This was the ninth traffic fatality this year compared to nine traffic fatalities the same time last year.