Police say a motorcyclist was killed Thursday after he ran off the road on Highway 11, about 0.3 miles south of the 92-mile marker in South Kona.
He was identified as Perry Lynn Deleeuw.
Officers responding to a 4:27 p.m. call determined that Deleeuw’s northbound black 2016 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Motorcycle ran off of the roadway, striking a rock embankment and ejecting him.
Deleeuw was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:02 p.m.
Deleeuw was not wearing a helmet, and police think that speed is a possible factor in the crash.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
Deleeuw’s death is the third traffic official traffic fatality this year compared to two at this time last year.
Police are asking witnesses to contact Officer Adam Roberg at (808) 326-4646, extension 229, or at adam.roberg@hawaiicounty.gov.
Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.