An unidentified man died following a single-motorcycle crash Saturday morning in the Captain Cook area of Kona, police said.
An unidentified man died following a single-motorcycle crash Saturday morning in the Captain Cook area of Kona, police said.
Officers responding to a 10:47 a.m. call determined that a 2003 Honda motorcycle had been traveling south on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) just north of the 93-mile marker when the operator failed to negotiate a turn in the roadway, which caused the motorcycle to run off the roadway and down a large embankment. The operator was ejected from the motorcycle and sustained head injuries from the collision.
The unidentified man was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4:20 p.m.
Police believe speed and inattention were factors.
An autopsy has been ordered, and anyone who may have witnessed the crash to is asked to call Officer Kimo Keliipaakaua at 326-4646, ext. 229. Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
This is the 17th official traffic fatality this year compared to 11 at this time last year.