UPDATE: Man Held on $275,000 Bail in Bicyclist’s Death

***Updated 8:41 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30.***

Police on Sunday charged a 27-year-old Puna man with first-degree negligent homicide and first-degree manslaughter in connection with Friday’s fatal crash that claimed the life of a bicyclist.

Bail for Siaiku L. Aholelei of Mountain View was set at $275,000. He was being held in the Hilo cellblock pending an initial court appearance today.

Police said Friday that Aholelei was driving a 2004 Dodge pickup at a high rate of speed southbound near the 8-mile marker on Highway 11 near Keaau when he lost control of his vehicle.

The pickup crossed the grassy median and two lanes of north-bound traffic before striking a 66-year-old man riding a bicycle on the highway’s shoulder.

The bicyclist, Cenon Tranquilino Visaya of Kea`au, died at the scene.

 Posted at 8:08 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27:

A 66-year-old bicyclist died today in a collision with a pickup truck on Highway 11 just above Keaau.

Police investigate the fatal crash that occurred Friday on Highway 11 near Keaau. Staff photo.

The Puna man was riding north on the shoulder of the road when he was struck by the south-bound truck that had gone out of control and crossed the grassy median.

Police said the pickup was traveling at a high rate of speed when it went out of control. Its driver, Siaiku L. Aholelei of Mountain View, was taken to Hilo Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries and then arrested for first-degree negligent homicide.

He was being held tonight at the Hilo cellblock without charges pending further investigation.

The victim was identified as Cenon Tranquilino Visaya of Kea‘au.

The accident that occurred at 11:56 a.m. forced the closing of the Hilo-bound lane near the upper entrance to Keaau for most of the afternoon.

Police ask that anyone who witnessed the crash call Officer Tuckloy Aurello at 961-8119.

The fatality was the 22nd of the year, compared to 30 at this time last year.