Hawaiʻi Island Brief: Motorcyclist Killed in Puna Crash

Hawai'i Island, aerial file photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

A 51-year-old Puna man died Wednesday (May 2, 2012) from injuries he sustained in a motorcycle crash in Pāhoa on Hawaiʻi Island.

The incident was reported at 9:54 a.m. at the intersection of Route 130 and Leilani Avenue.

Puna police say the man was operating a 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle, and was traveling west on Leilani Avenue when he failed to stop at a stop sign.  According to police reports, the motorcyclist went through the intersection, onto a private driveway, and struck a gate.

The identity of the victim was being withheld pending notification of the next of kin.

Police say the man was not wearing a helmet, and speed was a factor in the crash.  An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.