Kailua-Kona Man Dies as Result of Head-On Motorcycle Collision

A 25-year-old Kailua-Kona man was involved in a two-vehicle traffic collision on Monday morning, May 29, 2017, on Highway 11 north of the 69 Mile Marker in Na‘alehu.

He has been identified as Eric Figueroa.

Responding to a 9:56 a.m. call, police determined that a 2001 Honda motorcycle operated by Figueroa had been traveling south on Highway 11 when he failed to negotiate a right curve and crossed the center line.

Figueroa collided head-on with a 2005 Jeep Wrangler operated by a 52-year-old woman who was traveling north on Highway 11.

Following the collision, the Jeep driver was un-injured, but Figueroa was taken to the Kona Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 2:52 p.m.

Police believe that speed was a factor in the crash and an autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

The Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a Coroners Inquest investigation and is asking anyone who may have witnessed the accident to contact Officer Christopher Kapua-Allison at 326-4646, ext. 229. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo.

This is the 16th traffic fatality this year compared to 10 at this time last year.