A 27-year-old Army man was killed today in a collision between a motorcycle and sports utility vehicle on Kaukonahua Road between Wahiawa and Waialua.

Police vehicular homicide investigator Sgt. John Agno said the soldier from Schofield was westbound on Kaukonahua Road when his 2003 Suzuki GSX-R motorcycle veered into the path of a 1994 Nissan Pathfinder headed in the opposite direction at 8:13 a.m. The man dropped the motorcycle but was run over by the sports untility vehicle, which swerved to avoid a collision and ended up on am embankment, said Agno.

The accident scene was eighth-tenths of a mile west of Wilikina Drive. The man suffered head and internal injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival at Wahiawa General Hospital at 9:01 a.m., said Agno. A 54-year-old Waialua woman driving the sports utility vehicle was not injured.

Speed by the motorcyclist was an apparent factor, police said. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet.

The Honolulu medical examiner's office has identified the man but declined to release his name until kin are notified.

The death in O'ahu's ninth traffic fatality of the year as compared to 20 on the same date in 2007.

The accident investigation closed Kaukonahua Road between Kamananui Road and Thomson Corner until 8:43 a.m.

There have been 26 traffic fatalities statewide this year, eight less than a year ago.

The 2008 breakdown as of today: