A 67-year-old motorcyclist was killed in a three-car crash Sunday afternoon in Honomu.
Police responding to the 1:35 p.m. traffic collision determined that a 2018 Toyota Corolla four-door sedan traveling north on Highway 19 failed to yield to oncoming traffic and attempted a left turn on to Honomu Road, striking a 1973 BMW motorcycle that was traveling south on Highway 19, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
Following the collision, the 2018 Toyota Corolla spun out striking a 2006 Honda Pilot, which was stopped at the Honomu Road intersection, waiting to turn right onto Highway 19.
The motorcycle operator has not been identified at this time, police said. The man was unresponsive at the scene and transported to Hilo Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead at 4:24 p.m. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
The driver of the Honda Pilot, a 39-year-old man from Kona, and his three passengers, a 35-year-old woman, a 13-year-old boy, and an 11-year-old girl, all from Kona, were not injured in the crash.
The driver of the Toyota Corolla, a 59-year-old man from Honomu, was transported to Hilo Medical Center for minor abrasions and later released. He was arrested on suspicion of second-degree negligent homicide and was released pending further investigation.
Police investigating the traffic collision have determined that inattention to driving and failure to yield are major contributors to the crash. Alcohol and/or drugs are not considered factors at this time.
This is the third fatal traffic collision compared to three fatal traffic collisions during this same time period last year.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has information on the incident should contact Officer Erhard Autrata at (808) 961-2329 or via email to erhard.autrata@hawaiicounty.gov.