HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
SERGEANT SAMUEL V. JELSMA
PHONE: 961-2332
NOVEMBER 1, 2002
H-26354
MEDIA RELEASE
Police have identified a 54-year-old male visitor from Alaska who died Thursday afternoon (October 31, 2002) after his motorcycle ran off the road and into a lava field in the Kaupulehu area of the Kona District.
The victim was identified as Daniel Robbins, of Wasilla, Alaska.
Responding to a 12:56 p.m. call Thursday, police determined that the victim was riding a rented 2001 Harley Davidson motorcycle south on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 190) near the 16-mile marker when he ran off the right shoulder and into a lava field and was ejected from the bike,
The victim was taken to the Kona Community Hospital, where he died as a result of injuries he sustained in the accident. He was pronounced dead at 1:09 p.m.
Traffic Enforcement Unit officers are continuing an investigation into the crash and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. The victim had not been wearing a helmet and received head injuries in the accident.
Thursday’s death was the 22nd traffic-related fatality on the Big Island so far this year, compared to 23 at the same time last year.
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