Mountain View man dies after motorcycle he was driving hits utility pole

A 45-year-old Mountain View man is dead following a motorcycle crash early this morning in Hilo.

South Hilo patrol officers responded just after 12:30 a.m. today to the crash on Kīlauea Avenue. A 1990 Yamaha motorcycle was traveling southbound when it crossed the center line and crashed head-on into a utility pole, just before the Puainako Street intersection.

The driver was not wearing a helmet and was unresponsive at the scene. He was taken by ambulance to Hilo Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead at 1:40 a.m.

The Mountain View man’s identity is being withheld, pending notification of next of kin.

Speed and inattention appear to be primary factors in the crash. An autopsy was ordered to determine the man’s exact cause of death.

The East Hawai‘i Traffic Enforcement Unit of the Hawai‘i Police Department initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation into the crash.

Anyone who might have witnessed the crash or has information is asked to contact Officer Jared Cabatu at 808-961-2339 or via email at Jared.Cabatu@hawaiicounty.gov. They can also call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.