Updated at 2:58 p.m., Sunday, October 14, 2007
Motorcyclist killed in Big Island crash
Advertiser Staff
A 55-year-old Big Island motorcycle rider died yesterday when he crashed into a truck crossing in front of him on the Hawai'i Belt Road near the 106 mile-marker, Big Island police said.A female passenger was riding on the back of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle when a 49-year-old man from Captain Cook was driving south in a 1999 Ford Ranger pick-up and turned left in front of the motorcycle, police said.
The woman was taken to the Kona Community Hospital in critical condition, en route to The Queen's Medical Center. The man driving the Harley-Davidson was pronounced dead at Kona Community Hospital at 4:45 p.m.
Neither he nor his passenger were wearing helmets, police said.
The driver and the pick-up and his 37-year-old, female passenger were uninjured. They were both wearing seat belts, police said.
The driver of the pick-up was arrested on suspicion of negligent homicide and negligent injury and was being held at the Kealakehe police station. Police were unsure if alcohol or drugs were involved but said speed was a factor.
Anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to call Officer Joshua Lewis at 808-326-4646, ext. 229.
The crash was the 32nd traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared to 29 at the same time last year.
