A 26-year-old Kailua-Kona man died after losing control of his motorcycle and running off the road Thursday night in Kailua-Kona
Police identified him as Jordan Seth Powell.
Officers responding to an 8:51 p.m. call determined that Powell, who was riding a blue 2005 Suzuki Motorcycle north on Alii Drive, had overtaken a vehicle on the shoulder of the roadway near a left-hand curve about 0.3 miles south of Royal Poinciana Drive.
Powell lost control of the bike on the gravel shoulder, the then struck a parking sign and a rock embankment, causing him to be ejected.
He was pronounced dead at 9:45 p.m. at Kona Community Hospital.
Police do believe speed was a factor in the crash. Police spokesman Alan Richmond said a helmet was found at the scene but officers can’t confirm Powell was wearing it.
An autopsy has been ordered and police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the fatal crash to Officer Kelsey Kobayashi at (808) 326-4646 ext. 229.
Powell’s death is the 15th official traffic fatality this year compared to 21 at this time last year.
There are also two road deaths this year police don’t count toward the official traffic fatality total because one was determined to be caused by a medical condition and the other was within the boundaries of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and not in local police jurisdiction.