Bicyclist killed in Pahoa traffic crash
Hawaii Island police are investigating a fatal traffic collision involving a car and bicyclist that occurred on Monday evening in Pahoa. The driver of the car, 36-year-old Michael L. Richardson of Pahoa, has been arrested on suspicion of negligent homicide, DUI and driving without insurance.
Officers responding at 7:57 p.m. to the reported collision determined that a 2018 Volkswagen GTI sedan, driven by Richardson, was traveling east on Kahakai Boulevard just west of Olao Street, when it struck a man on a blue mountain bike who was also traveling east in the east-bound lane of Kahakai Boulevard.
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The bicyclist, possibly in his 50s, was unresponsive at the scene and taken by ambulance to Hilo Benioff Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased at 8:55 p.m. Police aren’t releasing his at this time pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death.
Richardson remains in custody at the Hilo Police Station pending further investigation.
The East Hawaii Traffic Enforcement Unit is asking potential witnesses to contact Officer Jerome Duarte at (808) 961-2339 or Jerome.Duarte@hawaiicounty.gov.
Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
This is the 29th official traffic fatality on Hawaii Island in 2024 compared to 15 this time last year.
