A 58-year-old Pepe‘ekeō man is dead after the motorcycle he was operating struck three vehicles on Highway 19 in Honomū on Monday, July 4, 2022. The man has been identified as Malvin Reyes.
Police responding to the 8:50 p.m. report of a head-on traffic collision in the area of the 13-14 mile markers of Māmalahoa Highway (Highway 19) determined that the motorcycle was traveling south (Hilo bound) when it crossed the centerline, sideswiping a sport utility vehicle, then sideswiped a four-door sedan, before striking a third vehicle head-on. All three vehicles were heading northbound (Waimea bound).
The operator of the motorcycle, Reyes, was transported to Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 11:31 p.m. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the traffic collision.
The drivers of the involved vehicles, a 74-year-old man, a 23-year-old man, and a 24-year-old woman were not injured in the crash.
The East Hawaii Traffic Unit has initiated a negligent homicide investigation, which is pending. An autopsy is expected to determine the exact cause of death. It is undetermined if alcohol, drugs, or speed are contributing factors in the crash.
This is the 21st fatal traffic collision of 2022 compared to 12 fatal traffic collisions during this same time period last year.
Anyone with information on this traffic collision is asked to contact Officer Blayne Matsui of the East Hawaii Traffic Enforcement Unit, at 808-961-2339, or via email at blayne.matsui@hawaiicounty.gov.