Updated at 2:59 p.m., Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Motorcyclist dies from injuries in Big Island crash
Advertiser Staff
HILO, Hawai'i — A 53-year-old Captain Cook man died from injuries he sustained in a motorcycle crash Friday at the intersection of Hawai'i Belt Road and Captain Cook Road.Police said Joseph K. Keliipaakaua III of Captain Cook died Saturday at The Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu. He was driving a 2005 Honda motorcycle north on Hawai'i Belt Road at about 11:30 a.m. when a southbound 2006 GMC pickup truck turned left in front of the victim. Keliipaakaua was not wearing a helmet, police said.
The 79-year-old Captain Cook man who was driving the truck declined medical treatment.
Traffic investigators have launched a negligent homicide investigation and are asking that anyone with information on the collision to call officer Joshua Lewis at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229.
There have been seven traffic fatalities on the Big Island this year, compared with six a year ago.
