Bicycle-Vehicle Fatality Results in Arrest

The Hawai‘i Police Department has reported that an unidentified adult male died following a vehicle-bicycle crash on Wednesday Dec. 6, 2017, in Hilo.

His name is being withheld pending positive identification and notification of his family.

Responding to a 5:54 a.m. call, police determined that a 2018 Nissan sedan was traveling north bound on Highway 19 near Hau Lane when it struck a bicyclist who was traveling north bound on the shoulder of the road.

The bicyclist was taken to the Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 8:32 a.m.

The driver of the Nissan sedan, 26 year-old Dylen Benevides of Hilo, was transported by medics to the HMC in stable condition for treatment of his injuries and was later released from the HMC.

He was then arrested on suspicion of Negligent Homicide while the Area I Traffic Enforcement Unit continues this investigation.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

Police believe that speed was a factor in this crash and it is unknown if intoxication was a factor.

Police ask anyone who witnessed the crash to call Officer Keith Nacis at (808) 961-2339. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

This is the 32nd traffic fatality this year compared with 30 at this time last year.

This information was provided by the authorities. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.