A 19-year-old Kailua-Kona motorcyclist died Friday after a head-on collision with a sport-utility vehicle on the the Queen Kaahumanu Highway in North Kona.
Police have not released the identity of the deceased man, pending notification of the next of kin.
According to police, officers responded at about 6:42 p.m. to a call regarding a serious collision at the 84-mile marker in North Kona.
Investigators found that the man, riding a green 2024 Kawasaki Ninja sport bike southbound, was overtaking multiple vehicles simultaneously when he collided head-on with a silver 2021 Honda CR-V driven by a 65-year-old Waimea woman.
The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at 10:53 p.m. at Kona Community Hospital. This is the 28th official traffic fatality this year compared to 15 at this time last year.
Police have initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation.
The woman driving the Honda SUV suffered minor injuries in the crash.
She was treated and released at Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital.
Potential witnesses are asked to contact Officer Dayson Taniguchi at (808) 326-4646 ext. 229 or dayson.taniguchi@hawaiicounty.gov. Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo.