Police ID motorcyclist killed in Kona crash
Police have identified a motorcyclist who died in a two-vehicle collision Wednesday at the intersection of Palani Road and Kealakaa Street in Kailua-Kona as 29-year-old Zachary McQuaid Stubbs of Kailua-Kona.
Officers responding to a 7:56 p.m. call, learned that Stubbs, who was riding a black 2023 Yamaha XTZ690 mauka on Palani Road had overtaken several vehicles on Palani Road prior to the crash.
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After passing the vehicles, police say the motorcyclist was seen disregarding a red stop light and drove between two stopped vehicles at the intersection. The motorcyclist then reportedly clipped a silver 2006 Nissan Frontier pickup truck driven by a 59-year-old Kailua-Kona man.
After striking the pickup, the rider was ejected from the motorcycle and struck a utility pole, police said. Stubbs was pronounced dead at 10:04 p.m. Wednesday at Kona Community Hospital.
Police believe speed was a factor in the crash and say Stubbs wasn’t wearing a helmet.
Stubbs’ death is the 19th traffic fatality this year compared to nine at this time last year.
Police have initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and are potential witnesses to contact Officer Ansel Robinson at 326-4646, ext. 229, or ansel.robinson@hawaiicounty.gov.
