Motorcyclist Dies After Rear-Ending Stopped Vehicle

A 45-year-old Kona man died Monday night from injuries sustained when his motorcycle rear-ended a vehicle.

Police said the Captain Cook resident was riding a 2010 Harley-Davidson south on Highway 11 when he struck a 2005 Toyota  pickup stopped to make a left turn onto Seiganji Mission Road.

The crash occurred at the 109-mile marker near Captain Cook.

Paramedics responding to a 7:35 p.m. call transported the man, who was not immediately identified, to Kona Community Hospital. He was pronounced dead at 7:56 p.m.

Police said the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet, and they believe speed and alcohol were factors in the crash.

The driver of the pickup, a 35-year-old woman from Captain Cook, and her 4-year-old son riding with her were not injured.

Police ask that anyone with information on the crash call Officer Larry Flowers at 326-4646, Ext. 229.

This was the seventh traffic fatality of the year compared to one at this time in 2012.

Police said the fatality county was reduced by one because the driver of the Nissan sedan involved in a head-on collision on Jan. 23 near Pahala died from a medical condition.