A 21-year-old man lost his life after his motorcycle collided with a small sport-utility vehicle at the intersection of Highway 11 and the entrance to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park today just before 8 a.m.
According to the National Park Service, the motorcyclist was northbound on Highway 11 towards Hilo when he crashed into the SUV, which was turning left into the park. The 65-year-old woman driving the SUV was the sole occupant of the vehicle and wasn’t injured.
The accident closed both lanes of Highway 11 near the park entrance for several hours. Hawaii Police Department and park law enforcement officers are conducting an investigation. No additional details are available at this time.
The man’s identity isn’t being released pending notification of family. His death is the 13th on Big Island roads this year, but it’s unclear if it will be counted as an official traffic fatality by police if the collision was deemed within the bounds of the national park.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to contact Officer Jerome Duarte at (808) 961-2329 or Jerome.Duarte@HawaiiCounty.gov.
Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.