HAWAII, Hawaii (KHON2) — A fatal traffic collision between a vehicle and a motorcycle occurred on Highway 11 in Keaʻau on the morning of Feb. 2.
Authorities received a call regarding the accident just after 10:30 a.m. It was reported that three motorcycles were traveling on Highway 11 Hilo bound when the lead motorcycle struck a sedan turning onto Highway 11.
The lead motorcycle, operated by a 32-year-old Puna man, then struck a second motorcycle, operated by a 38-year-old Puna woman. The female biker then lost control of her motorcycle and slid off the roadway.
The third biker, a 41-year-old Kona man, was able to avoid the collision and was not injured.
The 32-year-old Puna man was unresponsive at the scene and was pronounced dead at the Hilo Benioff Medical Center.
The sedan was operated by a 34-year-old Mountain View woman who had a juvenile passenger. Neither were injured but were transported to Hilo Benioff Medical Center as a precaution.
The 38-year-old Puna woman was also taken to the hospital via private vehicle for non-life-threatening injuries.
All three motorcyclists were wearing protective gear. This marks the fourth traffic fatality of the year.
Authorities urge anyone with any information regarding the collision to contact Officer Jerome Duarte at (808) 961-2339 or at jerome.duarte@hawaiicounty.gov. Big Island police are investigating the collision.