Kona Man Dead Following Collision Involving a Moped

A 21-year-old Kealakekua man died today from injuries sustained Wednesday in a crash involving his vehicle and a moped.

Police said the man was driving a 1995 Honda station wagon mauka on Kealakehe Parkway when he rear-ended a moped at the intersection of the Ane Keohokalole Highway. The man then swerved to the right and his vehicle struck a fire hydrant, light pole and a sign before overturning.

The man, who was not wearing a seat belt, and the driver of the moped were taken to Kona Community Hospital following the incident that occurred shortly before 8 p.m. The moped rider was treated and released.

The driver of the Honda was transferred to Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu where he died at 4:10 a.m.

The man’s name was being withheld pending positive identification.

Police said alcohol was a factor, but it was not known if speeding was involved.

Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call Officer Thomas Koyanagi at 326-4646, Ext. 229.

The death was the 23^rd traffic fatality of the year on the Big Island – and the second of the day. There were 15 fatalities at this point in 2011.