MEDIA RELEASE
A 20-year-old Kailua-Kona man died Wednesday (January 5) from injuries he sustained in a motor vehicle/motorcycle crash at the intersection of Route 190 and Makalapua Road in Kalaoa, North Kona.
The motorcycle operator was identified as Dalton B. Cates of a Kailua-Kona address.
Responding to a 6:28 p.m. call, Kona patrol officers determined that Cates was operating a 2004 Yamaha motorcycle and traveling north on Route 190 when he collided with a 2000 Chevrolet four-dour sedan which was making a left turn from Makalapua Road onto Route 190. He was wearing a helmet.
Fire Rescue personnel took Cates and the Chevrolet driver, a 30-year-old Kailua-Kona man, to Kona Community Hospital.
Cates was pronounced dead at 7:25 p.m.
The driver of the other vehicle was treated and released with minor injuries.
It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs were involved but witnesses reported that the motorcycle was traveling at a high rate of speed prior to the 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 the crash to call Officer Joshua Lewis at 326-4646, extension 229.
This is the second traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with one at this time last year.
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