Puna, HI – For the second time in just two days, Hawai‘i Island police are investigating a tragic fatal traffic collision involving a motorcycle. The latest incident occurred Monday afternoon on Keaau-Pahoa Road (Highway 130), just south of the Pāhoa Police Station, and involved a motorcycle and a dump truck.
Emergency responders received reports of the collision at approximately 3:38 p.m. Upon arrival, officers determined that a male motorcyclist, believed to be in his 30s or 40s, was traveling southbound when he attempted to pass multiple vehicles on the mauka shoulder. During this maneuver, he collided with a 2020 Peterbilt dump truck that was making a right turn into a driveway in the 15-2600 block of Keaau-Pahoa Road.
Despite immediate medical attention, the motorcyclist was unresponsive at the scene and was rushed to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 7:23 p.m. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death, and the identity of the motorcyclist will be withheld until next of kin are notified.
The operator of the dump truck, a 67-year-old man from Hilo, sustained no injuries. However, early investigations suggest that speed and possible alcohol and/or drug involvement may have played a role in the collision. It is also noted that the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
he East Hawaii Traffic Enforcement Unit is actively investigating the incident. This collision marks the second fatal motorcycle accident in Puna within a span of two days.
On Sunday, February 2, police responded to a separate incident involving a motorcyclist and a sedan in Kea‘au that resulted in the death of a 32-year-old Puna man.
Authorities urge anyone with additional information regarding either collision to contact Officer Jerome Duarte at (808) 961-2339 or via email at Jerome.Duarte@hawaiicounty.gov. Individuals wishing to remain anonymous may reach out to Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
As of now, this incident marks the fifth traffic fatality reported in 2025, compared to four fatalities at the same time last year.
