Motorcyclist killed in collision

Subscribe Now Choose a package that suits your preferences.
Start Free Account Get access to 7 premium stories every month for FREE!
Already a Subscriber? Current print subscriber? Activate your complimentary Digital account.

A 23-year old Volcano man died following a motorcycle crash Tuesday night near the 25-mile marker in the Volcano area.

A 23-year old Volcano man died following a motorcycle crash Tuesday night near the 25-mile marker in the Volcano area.

He has been identified as Ronson Bento.

Responding to an 8:34 p.m. call, police determined that a 2003 Honda XR100R dirt bike was heading north on Route 11 with no lights on when it struck a southbound 2005 Dodge Caravan that was making a left turn onto Nahelenani Street.

The driver of the van, a 48-year-old Volcano woman, was uninjured.

Bento, who was not wearing a helmet, was thrown from his bike in the crash. He was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 9:30 p.m.

The dirt bike had no license plate and was not equipped with features to be lawfully operated on a public highway.

It is undetermined if speed or alcohol were factors in the collision.

Police have initiated a standard negligent homicide case and are continuing the investigation.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or operation of the dirt bike prior to the collision is asked to call Officer William Brown at 965-2716.

Bento’s death is the 12th official traffic fatality this year compared to seven at this time last year and 11 for all of 2014.