MEDIA RELEASE

A 29-year-old Kailua-Kona man died Friday (February 6) from injuries he sustained in a motor vehicle/motorcycle crash at the intersection of Kuakini Highway and Hualalai Road in Kailua-Kona.

The victim was identified as Steven L. Carvalho of Kailua-Kona.

Responding to a 6:44 p.m. call, Kona patrol officers determined that Carvalho was operating a 2003 Suzuki motorcycle and traveling north on Kuakini Highway when a 2006 Toyota van traveling south on Kuakini Highway failed to yield the right of way and made a left turn in front of the motorcycle onto Hualalai Road.

Fire rescue personnel took the victim to Kona Community Hospital, where he died at 7:28 p.m.

The victim was not wearing a helmet.

The driver of the van, a 23-year-old Kailua-Kona woman was not injured.

It is unknown at this time if speed or alcohol were involved in this crash.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Police ask anyone with information about this case to call Officer Joshua Lewis at 326-4646, extension 229.

This is the fifth traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with four at this time last year.