UPDATED FROM POLICE (5/12/09)

Police traffic investigators have identified a 27-year-old man who died Saturday (May 9) from injuries he sustained in a motorcycle crash on Route 137 (Kalapana/Kapoho Road), .1 mile south of Pohoiki Road.

The victim was identified as Joshua Glenn Vanhook of a Keaau address.

UPDATED FROM POLICE (5/11/09)

A 27-year-old Keaau man died Saturday (May 9) from injuries he sustained in a motorcycle crash on Route 137 (Kapoho/Kalapana Road), .1 mile south of Pohiki Road.

Responding to a 4:32 p.m. call, Puna patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 1985 Yamaha motorcycle and was traveling south on Route 137, when he lost control and ran off the right side of the road.

Police believe that speed and alcohol were factors in this crash. The victim was not wearing a helmet.

The victim was transported to the Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 8:00 p.m.

The name of the victim is being withheld pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a coroner’s inquest case and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Police are asking that the anonymous male caller who called “911” or anyone else with information regarding this crash is asked to call Officer Clarence Davies at 961-8118.

This is the 6th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared to eleven at the same time last year.

FROM FIRE/RESCUE REPORTS (5/9/09)

Fire/Rescue crews responded to a 4:25 p.m. call for a motorcycle accident on Highway 130, 300 yards south of the Pohoiki boat ramp four-way stop Saturday afternoon.

The 28 year-old victim was found laying in shrubbery without signs of life by a driver who then called 911. There were no witnesses and the accident is under investigation by police.