A 29-year-old Kailua-Kona man died in a two-vehicle collision on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. The incident took place at the intersection of Palani Road and Kealaka’a Street in North Kona.
The 29-year-old motorcycle rider victim remains unidentified at this time, pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.
Responding to a call at 7:56 p.m., police investigation revealed that a black 2023 Yamaha XTZ690 traveling north (mauka) had overtaken several vehicles on Palani Road prior to the crash. After passing the vehicles, the motorcycle was then observed disregarding a red stop light and drove between two stopped vehicles at the intersection. The motorcycle clipped a silver 2006 Nissan Frontier pickup truck that was being operated by a 59-year-old Kailua-Kona man. After clipping the Nissan pickup, the rider was ejected from the motorcycle and struck a utility pole. The 29-year-old male rider was transported to the Kona Community Hospital and was pronounced dead at 10:04 p.m.
Police believe that speed was a factor in the crash. The 29-year-old male was not wearing his helmet.
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 Ansel Robinson at 326-4646 ext. 229 or email at ansel.robinson@hawaiicounty.gov.
This is the 19th traffic fatality this year compared to 9 at this time last year.