Paia Man Suffers Fatal Injuries in Motorcycle Crash

By Wendy Osher

A Paia man suffered fatal injuries when the motorcycle he was operating collided with a rock wall.  The accident was reported at 6:28 p.m. on Monday, February 28, 2011 in Paia.

Authorities have since identified the victim as 71-year-old Ronald Austin.  Maui Police say the man was traveling east on Lae Street when the 2000 Piaggio MP3 250 IE motorcycle he was operating, crashed into the wall at the end of a cul-de-sac.  The accident occurred 250 feet east of Kaiea Place.

Maui police say Austin was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, and died at the scene.

The accident was the second traffic fatality on Maui County roads this year, compared to two at the same time last year.

File image, Wendy Osher.