A 23-year-old Volcano man is dead following a Tuesday night dirt bike crash on Highway 11 in Volcano.
A 23-year-old Volcano man is dead following a Tuesday night dirt bike crash on Highway 11 in Volcano.
The victim has been identified as Ronson Bento, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
Police say Bento was operating a 2003 Honda XR100R dirt bike and heading north on the highway 11 with no lights on when he struck a southbound 2005 Dodge Caravan that was making a left turn onto Nahelenani Street. The driver of the van, a 48-year-old Volcano woman, was not injured in the crash.
Bento, who was not wearing a helmet, was thrown from his bike in the crash. He was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 9:30 p.m.
The dirt bike had no license plate. It was also not equipped with features to be lawfully operated on a public highway.
Police noted Wednesday morning that officers had not yet determined if speed or alcohol were factors in the collision.
Police have initiated a standard negligent homicide case and are continuing the investigation. Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or operation of the dirt bike prior to the collision to call Officer William Brown at 965-2716.
This is the 12th traffic fatality this year compared with seven at this time in 2014.