MEDIA RELEASE

A 57-year-old Hilo man died Monday (July 13) from injuries he sustained in a motor vehicle/motorcycle crash at the intersection of Hawaii Belt Road (Route 11) and Makalika Street.

The motorcyclist was identified as Joseph M. Flood Sr. of Hilo.

Responding to a 11:55 a.m. call, South Hilo patrol officers determined that a 67-year-old Kurtistown woman was operating a 2006 Mazda four-door sedan and traveling west on Makalika Street when she stopped at the stop sign and proceeded to cross the intersection to make a left turn onto Route 11.

The motorcyclist was operating a 2003 Harley Davidson motorcycle and traveling north on Route 11 in the inner lane when he broadsided the vehicle crossing the intersection.

The victim was not wearing a helmet. Fire Rescue personnel took him to Hilo Medical Center, where he died at 2:05 p.m.

The driver of the Mazda was not injured.

It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs were involved but speed was a factor 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 that anyone with information about this case call Officer Robert Pauole at 961-8119.

This is the 14th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 14 at this time last year.