KAILUA-KONA — A 69-year-old Kailua-Kona man died Tuesday following a single motorcycle crash on Mamalahoa Highway in North Kona.
The Hawaii Police Department identified the man as Henry Peters.
Responding to a 10:56 a.m. call, police determined that Peters was operating a southbound 2006 Harley Davidson motorcycle when he failed to negotiate a turn in the roadway near mile marker 28. Police say this caused Peters to runoff the makai side of the roadway and collide with a guardrail at which point he was ejected from the motorcycle.
Peters, who wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, was taken to Kona Community Hospital in stable condition, police said.
However, he died several hours later at 3:47 p.m.
Police said they believe inattention was a factor in this crash, but it’s not immediately known if alcohol was a factor. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and is asking for anyone who witnessed the crash to call Officer Kimo Keliipaakaua at 326-4646, ext. 229. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
This is the ninth traffic fatality on Big Island public roads this year compared with nine at this time last year.
Police initially identified the decedent as a 71-year-old man, however, corrected his age with the positive identification released Wednesday morning.