A motorcyclist was killed Monday after being struck by another vehicle at the intersection of Saddle Road and Kaumana Drive in Hilo.
According to a police report, a male motorcyclist — whose identity has not been disclosed, pending notification of next of kin — was traveling east on Kaumana at 6:30 p.m. when he skidded on the gravel shoulder and lost control, falling off the bike at the intersection on Saddle Road.
A woman traveling west on Saddle Road swerved to avoid the motorcycle, which had come to rest in her lane, but instead struck the motorcyclist, who was laying in the middle of the roadway.
At the time of the collision, the roads were wet, the area was dark and it was raining. The motorcyclist was also reportedly not wearing a helmet and was wearing a black hoodie.
The motorcyclist was unresponsive when police responded to the collision. He was transported to Hilo Medical Center and was pronounced dead at 7:50 p.m.
Police have determined that speed and wet road conditions were factors in the crash. This is the 21st fatal collision of 2021, compared to 13 fatal collisions within the same period last year.
The East Hawaii Traffic Enforcement Unit is investigating the incident as a negligent homicide. Any witnesses to the event or anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Blayne Matsui at 961-2339 or via email at Blayne.Matsui@HawaiiCounty.gov.