A 66-year-old Puna man died Friday after the bicycle he was riding was struck by an out-of-control pickup truck on Highway 11 in Keaau.
The victim has been identified as Cenon Tranquilino A. Visaya of Keaau, according to the Hawaii Police Department. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death.
Visaya was riding a bicycle and headed northbound on Highway 11 near mile marker 8 when a southbound 2004 Dodge pickup truck driven by a 27-year-old Mountain View man apparently lost control, crossed the grassy median and struck Visaya, according to police. The truck was reportedly traveling at a high rate of speed.
The driver of the truck, identified as Siaiku L. Aholele, was transported to Hilo Medical Center where was treated for minor injuries and released. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of first-degree negligent homicide and remains in police custody pending further investigation.
This is the 22nd fatality on public Big Island roads this year, compared with 30 at this time in 2012.
Anyone with information on the crash should call Officer Tuckloy Aurello at 961-8119.