A 66-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of negligent homicide after fatally striking a bicyclist with his vehicle Wednesday evening on Kaumana Drive near the intersection of Wili Wili Street in Hilo.
Hawai‘i County Police responded to the call at 9:04 p.m. Officers determined that a 2008 Dodge pickup truck had been traveling west on Kaumana Drive within the two way center median turn lane below the Wili Wili Street intersection when it collided with 40-year-old cyclist Wayne W. Geil, who was traveling east on Kaumana Drive, also within the two way center median turn lane.
Police issued a text alert at 9:36 p.m. indicating Kaumana Drive was closed in both directions due to an “accident.” The road didn’t reopen until nearly 5:30 a.m.
Geil, of Hilo, was transported to the Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 10:28 p.m.
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The operator of the pickup truck, also of Hilo, was not injured in the crash and was arrested for suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence of intoxicants along with first-degree negligent homicide. He is currently being held at the Hilo Cellblock pending continued investigation.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit is conducting the Negligent Homicide investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact Officer Clifford Antonio at 808-961-2339.
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This is the 17th traffic fatality this year compared to 24 at this same time last year.
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