A 62-year-old Holualoa man died following a single-vehicle collision on Thursday, January 27, 2022, on Mamalahoa Highway, Route 11, .3 miles south of the 92-mile marker located in South Kona.

The man has been positively identified as Perry Lynn Deleeuw.

Responding to a 4:27 p.m. call, police determined that a black 2016 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Motorcycle heading north ran off of the roadway and lost control, striking a rock embankment and ejecting the rider. The motorcyclist was transported to the Kona Community Hospital where he was later pronounced dead at 6:02 p.m.

Deleeuw was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and police believe that speed is a possible factor in the crash.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Adam Roberg at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229, or email at adam.roberg@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

This is the third traffic fatality this year compared to two at this time last year.