A 26-year-old Kamuela man who died Thursday from injuries he sustained in a motor vehicle/motorcycle crash at the intersection of Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Puako Beach Drive in South Kohala has been identified as Warren W. Hollister of a Kamuela address.

South Kohala patrol officers determined that the motorcyclist was operating a 2007 Kawasaki motorcycle and traveling south on Queen Kaahumanu Highway when a 1995 Ford Ranger pickup truck pulled out of Puako Beach Drive making a left turn onto the highway prior to 6:10 p.m.

The operator of the truck, a 58-year-old Kamuela man, was not injured.

The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet.

It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs were involved but speed is a factor in this case.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Police ask anyone with information about this crash to call Officer Joshua Lewis at 326-4646, extension 233.

This is the 19th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 26 at this time last year.