Hilo Man Charged Following Crash that Left Motorcyclist in Critical Condition

A Hilo man was arrested and charged in connection to a two-car crash last week that left a motorcyclist critically injured.

The crash occurred on Thursday, April 21, at the intersection of Māmalahoa Highway, (Highway 19), and Hau Street in the Wainaku area of Hilo. Hawai‘i police determined that a 2013 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, being operated by 48-year-old Joshua Manzano-Hill, made a left turn from Hau Street onto Highway 19, causing a 2005 Honda motorcycle traveling Hilo bound on Highway 19 to collide with the rear driver’s side of the truck.

At the time of the collision it was raining and the roadway was wet.

The 39-year-old man motorcyclist was initially transported to Hilo Medical Center and later to Queen‘s Medical Center, on O‘ahu, in stable but critical condition as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.

Manzano-Hill, who was not injured in the collision, was arrested at the scene for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant. He was transported to the Hilo police station as police continued the investigation.

In the course of the investigation, police executed a search warrant on his Toyota Tacoma, at which time police observed and recovered multiple alcohol containers, cocaine, and marijuana from the vehicle he was driving at the time of the collision.

Manzano-Hill was charged on Friday, April 22, with first-degree negligent injury, operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug.

His bail was set at $31,000. He is scheduled to appear in Hilo District Court on Wednesday, April 27.

Police ask anyone who may have witnessed the collision to please contact the lead investigator, Officer Jared Cabatu at 808-961-2339 or via email Jared.Cabatu@HawaiiCounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.