Police ID motorcyclist killed in Hilo crash

Police ID motorcyclist killed in Hilo crash

The Hawaii Police Department on Wednesday identified the man who died in a traffic collision on Monday evening at the intersection of Kaumana Drive and Saddle Road in Hilo as 39-year-old William Townsend of Hilo.

Police responding to the 6:30 p.m. traffic collision have determined that Townsend was operating an eastbound 2014 Honda Grom motorcycle on Kaumana Drive approaching the Saddle Road intersection on a wet roadway when the motorcycle crossed Kaumana Drive from the eastbound lane and into the westbound gravel shoulder causing the motorcyclist to lose control and fall, coming to rest in the intersection on Saddle Road.

A 2020 Kia sedan traveling west on Saddle Road swerved to the left to avoid the motorcycle, which had come to a rest in its lane and subsequently struck the motorcyclist, who was laying in the middle of the roadway. At the time of the collision, the roads were wet, the area was dark and it was raining, police said.

Police said speed and wet road conditions are factors in this investigation. Townsend was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, and was dressed in a black hoodie. Police have not determined if alcohol and/or drugs are factors at this time.

Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who has information about it, should contact Officer Blayne Matsui at (808) 961-2339 or via email Blayne.Matsui@HawaiiCounty.gov. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.