HILO — A 39-year-old father of three who died Thursday as the result of an afternoon collision between a pickup truck and his motorcycle is being remembered on social media as a devoted family man and faithful friend who was constantly smiling and laughing.
HILO — A 39-year-old father of three who died Thursday as the result of an afternoon collision between a pickup truck and his motorcycle is being remembered on social media as a devoted family man and faithful friend who was constantly smiling and laughing.
Police said Ernest Jackson, of Pahoa, was riding his 1996 Yamaha motorcycle north on Highway 130 when the driver of a southbound 1991 Nissan pickup truck turned left onto Highway 132, failing to yield the right of way.
Jackson’s motorcycle broadsided the truck in the intersection, police said.
According to police, the pickup’s driver, 28-year-old Gaelynn Kahee, also of Pahoa, fled the scene but later turned herself in shortly at the Pahoa police station and was arrested on suspicion of second-degree negligent homicide, leaving the scene of a fatal accident and driving without a license.
She was being held at the Hilo police cellblock while officers continue investigating and hadn’t been charged by press time Friday.
Jackson was a home builder who lived with his family in Kalapana Seaview Estates and owner-operator of Full Spectrum Home Improvements.
Jackson’s wife, Jenn Campbell Jackson, posted on Facebook that her husband was and is “the brightest light in my life.”
“I feel like I may crumble. To all who have reached out, thank you,” she said. “I’m not quite sure what to do now… riding waves of grief and yet having moments of peace knowing he is able to do the one thing he said was his greatest wish … fly. Please hold his amazing children in your heart. Envision them surrounded by ever-present love as we all take this journey of grief. Think of Ernest’s smile and infectious laugh.”
A GoFundMe online page titled “Memorial for Ernest Jackson” had raised $2,895 of a $5,000 goal in just four hours on Friday.
Jackson reportedly wasn’t wearing a helmet when the collision occurred, and police don’t think speed or alcohol were factors in the crash.
An autopsy has been ordered as part of the investigation.
Jackson’s death is the 24th official traffic fatality this year, compared to 15 at this time last year. There also have been four vehicle-related deaths this year police don’t count toward the official total because two occurred on private property and two in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Witnesses are asked to call Officer Keith Nacis at 961-2339 or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.