UPDATED MEDIA RELEASE (2/9/10 4:31 p.m.)

Police traffic investigators have identified a 53-year-old Kealakekua man who died Monday (February 8) from injuries he sustained in a motorcycle crash on Route 180 .1 mile north of Hualālai Road in Kailua-Kona.

The victim was identified as Mark D. Bilan, of a Kealakekua address.

This was the 6th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with four [corrected] at this time last year.

UPDATED MEDIA RELEASE (2/9/10 8:26 a.m.)

A 53-year-old Kealakekua man died Monday (February 8) from injuries he sustained in a motorcycle crash on Route 180 .1 mile north of Hualālai Road in Kailua-Kona.

Responding to a 4:37 p.m. call, Kona patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 1988 BMW motorcycle and traveling south on Route 180, when he overtook another vehicle in a no passing zone, lost control and ran off the right side of the road, striking a tree.

The victim was not wearing a helmet.

The victim was transported to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:10 p.m.

It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs were involved but speed was a factor in this crash.

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

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a coroner’s inquest case and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

This is the 6th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with five at this time last year.

MEDIA RELEASE (2/8/10)

Fire/rescue crews responded for a 4:38 p.m. alarm Monday (Feb. 8) to Mamalahoa Highway (Hwy 180) approximately 50 yards north of the Hualalai Road intersection in Holualoa for a motorcycle crash.

Upon arrival crews found a 54-year-old male with multiple injuries including a significant head injury. The rider was 20 feet down an embankment in a coffee field after apparently losing control of his motorcycle while heading south on Mamalahoa Highway.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

The cause of the crash is unknown.

MEDIA RELEASE

A 62-year-old Colorado man died Thursday, Jan. 14 from injuries he sustained in a single motorcycle crash on Akaka Falls Road in the area of the 1 mile-marker.

The victim was identified as Herman A. Dietrich, of Denver, Colo.

Responding to a 2:17 p.m. call, South Hilo patrol officers determined the victim was operating a 2009 Harley Davidson motorcycle and traveling east on Akaka Falls Road when he lost control and ran off the right side of the road.

The victim’s 63-year-old wife, who was a passenger on the motorcycle, was transported by Fire Rescue personnel to Hilo Medical Center in critical condition. She was going to be flown to The Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu.

The victim was pronounced dead at 4:40 p.m. at Hilo Medical Center.

The victim and his wife were wearing motorcycle helmets.

It is unknown at this time if speed, alcohol or drugs were involved.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a coroner’s inquest case and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

This is the 4th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared to one at the same time last year.

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UPDATED MEDIA RELEASE (1/11/10)

Two Kailua-Kona men died Sunday (January 10) from injuries sustained in a motorcycle/pedestrian crash on Ali’i Drive fronting the Ali’i Lani condominiums in Kailua-Kona.

The motorcycle operator was identified as Dale R. Dyk, 50, of a Kailua-Kona address.

The pedestrian was identified as Jaison Enriquez, 40, also of a Kailua-Kona address.

Responding to a 3:09 p.m. call, Kona patrol and Traffic Enforcement Unit officers determined that Dyk was operating a 1998 Harley Davidson motorcycle and traveling south on Alii Drive when he struck Enriquez who was crossing the street in an easterly direction.

Enriquez was not in a crosswalk.

Fire Rescue took both victims to Kona Community Hospital.

Dyk was pronounced dead at 4:40 p.m. and Enriquez at 5:57 p.m.

Dyk was not wearing a helmet.

Police believe that alcohol and speed were factors in this crash. Police believe that the pedestrian had also been drinking.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a coroner’s inquest and negligent homicide investigation and have ordered autopsies to determine the exact cause of death.

Police ask anyone with information about the crash to call Officer Marvin Troutman at 326-4646, extension 229.

This is the third traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with one at this time last year.

MEDIA RELEASE (1/10/10)

Two people were killed in a motorcycle accident Sunday afternoon on Alii Drive, according to the Fire Department. The report indicates one person may have been a pedestrian.

Crews were alerted shortly after 3 p.m. Sunday and arrived to find two males laying in the road and one motorcycle on its side in front of Alii Lani Townhomes.

Traffic was diverted to Kuakani Highway.

MEDIA RELEASE

The Federal Highway Administration is conducting an ambitious new study to better understand and prevent motorcycle crashes, Administrator Victor Mendez announced.

Despite years of steadily improving highway safety and roadway fatalities at historic lows, motorcycle riders remain one of the highest-risk groups on America’s roads. 

Nearly 5,300 motorcycle riders died in roadway crashes in 2008, accounting for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities, and 96,000 were injured.

“Having a better understanding of what causes these crashes will help us improve roadway safety for everyone,” Mendez said. “Keeping people safe on America’s roads is Secretary LaHood’s top priority at the Department of Transportation.”

The motorcycle crash causation study will be the federal government’s first major in-depth analysis of motorcycle safety in nearly three decades. A provision in the “Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users” (SAFETEA-LU) requires the study, which will be conducted by the FHWA in partnership with the Oklahoma State University. 

The university’s Oklahoma Transportation Center is one of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 10 National University Transportation Centers, and it receives federal grants to conduct transportation research.

“OSU is delighted to be the lead research institution for this important study,” said Dr. Alan Tree, associate dean for research in OSU’s College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology. “We expect very significant, scientifically valid results to emerge from this work and look forward to a very positive final outcome.”

Researchers will evaluate data from hundreds of motorcycle crashes to help identify common factors – including road configurations, environmental conditions and rider experience. 

The study’s focus is to look at how these factors may be affected by countermeasures that, if effectively implemented, will prevent motorcycle crashes or lessen the harm when they occur.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducted a pilot study to develop the protocols for the full-scale causation research. NHTSA also was responsible for the earlier motorcycle causation study, which was completed in 1981.

Between 1997 and 2008, motorcycle rider fatalities increased from 2,116 to 5,290 – a 150 percent jump, according to U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System. 

In 2008 alone, deaths due to motorcycle crashes rose by an estimated 2.2 percent while all other vehicle classes saw reductions in fatalities.

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UPDATED MEDIA RELEASE (6/1/09)

A father and son from Pāhoa were killed Sunday (May 31) in a motor vehicle/motorcycle crash at the intersection of Route 130 and Ainaloa Boulevard in Pāhoa.

The father was identified as 36-year-old Thomas G. Reimer and his son as 7-year-old Thomas G. Reimer Jr.

Responding to a 7:33 p.m. call, Puna patrol officers and traffic investigators determined that the father and son were on a 2006 Suzuki motorcycle and traveling south on Route 130 when a 21-year-old Pāhoa man operating a 1999 Mazda four-door-sedan traveling north initiated a left turn onto Ainaloa Boulevard.

The father and son, who were wearing helmets, were transported to the Hilo Medical Center where they were pronounced dead at 11:33 p.m.

The 21-year-old Pāhoa man identified as Bobby K. Jimenez was arrested for two counts of negligent homicide, promoting a detrimental drug in the third degree and no-no fault insurance. He is being held at the East Hawaii Detention Center pending further investigation.

It is unknown at this time if speed, alcohol or drugs are involved.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have requested autopsies to determine the exact cause of death.

Police ask anyone with information on this crash call Officer Michael Molnar at 961-2293.

This is the 10th and 11th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 11 at this time last year.

Karin Stanton/Hawaii247.org Contributing Editor (5/31/09)

Two people, including a child, were killed Sunday evening (May 31) in a traffic collision in Ainaloa, the county Fire Department reported.

Emergency crews were called about 7:30 p.m. to the scene of an accident involving a car and motorcycle at the intersection of Highway 130 and Ainaloa Boulevard.

Crews arrived to find two victims laying in road about 15-20 feet from the motorcycle, which was engulfed in flames. Both – one a child and the other a 36-year-old man – “were without signs of life,” the Fire Department reported. Both were wearing helmets.

A witness reported the motorcycle was heading toward Pahoa and collided with a sedan that was turning left onto Highway 130 from Ainaloa Boulevard.

Bystanders avoided moving the victims, but did cover them with blankets to shield them from a light drizzle.

No further information was released.

UPDATED FROM POLICE (5/12/09)

Police traffic investigators have identified a 27-year-old man who died Saturday (May 9) from injuries he sustained in a motorcycle crash on Route 137 (Kalapana/Kapoho Road), .1 mile south of Pohoiki Road.

The victim was identified as Joshua Glenn Vanhook of a Keaau address.

UPDATED FROM POLICE (5/11/09)

A 27-year-old Keaau man died Saturday (May 9) from injuries he sustained in a motorcycle crash on Route 137 (Kapoho/Kalapana Road), .1 mile south of Pohiki Road.

Responding to a 4:32 p.m. call, Puna patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 1985 Yamaha motorcycle and was traveling south on Route 137, when he lost control and ran off the right side of the road.

Police believe that speed and alcohol were factors in this crash. The victim was not wearing a helmet.

The victim was transported to the Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 8:00 p.m.

The name of the victim is being withheld pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a coroner’s inquest case and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Police are asking that the anonymous male caller who called “911″ or anyone else with information regarding this crash is asked to call Officer Clarence Davies at 961-8118.

This is the 6th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared to eleven at the same time last year.

FROM FIRE/RESCUE REPORTS (5/9/09)

Fire/Rescue crews responded to a 4:25 p.m. call for a motorcycle accident on Highway 130, 300 yards south of the Pohoiki boat ramp four-way stop Saturday afternoon.

The 28 year-old victim was found laying in shrubbery without signs of life by a driver who then called 911. There were no witnesses and the accident is under investigation by police.

MEDIA RELEASE

A 19-year-old Hilo man died Friday (March 20) from injuries he sustained in a motorcycle crash on Kipimana Street, .4 miles west of Highway 11 in Kea‘au.

The victim was identified as Simon E. Cesar of a Hilo address.

Responding to a 5:52 p.m. call, Puna patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 2006 Suzuki motorcycle and traveling west on Kipimana Drive when he lost control, crossed the centerline and struck a utility pole. 

Witnesses reported seeing the motorcycle going up and down Kipimana Street and the operator doing “wheelies.”

The victim was not wearing a helmet.

The victim was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 8:49 p.m.

It is unknown at this time if alcohol was involved but speed was definitely a factor in this crash.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a coroner’s inquest case and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Police ask anyone with information about this crash to call Officer Michael Molnar at 961-2293.

This is the fifth traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with nine at this time last year.

MEDIA RELEASE

A 52-year-old Pahoa man died Saturday, Dec. 6 from injuries he sustained in a motorcycle crash on Leilani Avenue, west of Pohoiki Road in the Leilani Estates Subdivision in the Puna District, police reported.

Responding to a 4:08 p.m. call, Puna patrol officers determined the man was operating a 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle and traveling west on Leilani Avenue when he lost control, crossed the centerline and collided with a utility pole.

The man, who was not wearing a helmet, was transported to Hilo Medical Center, where he later died at 7:15 p.m.

Police do not believe speed or alcohol were involved.

The name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a coroner’s inquest case and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

This is the 26th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared to 35 at the same time last year.