Driver charged in crash that injured motorcyclist

A 48-year-old Hilo man is facing negligent injury and drug charges as a result of a traffic crash Thursday night that critically injured a motorcyclist.

Joshua Manzano-Hill is charged with first-degree negligent injury, DUI, third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and marijuana possession.

Police say Manzano-Hill made a left turn in his 2013 Toyota Tacoma from Hau Street in the Wainaku neighborhood of Hilo onto Highway 19, causing a Hilo-bound 2005 Honda to collide with the rear driver’s side of the pickup truck.

At the time of the collision it was raining and the roadway was wet.

The motorcyclist, a 39-year-old man, was initially taken to Hilo Medical Center. He was later airlifted to The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu, in critical but stable condition.

Police executed a search warrant on the pickup truck, and police reportedly foundmultiple alcohol containers, cocaine, and marijuana from the vehicle.

Manzano-Hill’s bail was set at $31,000.