Traffic Fatality Hilo 11/09/99

HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
SERGEANT SAMUEL V. JELSMA
PHONE: 961-2332
NOVEMBER 9, 1999
G-10872

MEDIA RELEASE

A 29-year-old Puna man died Tuesday morning, (November 9, 1999), after his motorcycle collided with a Sport-utility vehicle on Railroad Avenue at the intersection of Lanikaula Street in Hilo.

The victim is identified as Miles Fujiyama of a Hawaiian Paradise Park address.

Responding to a 9:28 a.m. accident call, police officers determined that the victim was riding his Suzuki motorcycle heading southbound on Railroad Avenue when a 1989 Nissan Pathfinder traveling north tried to make a left turn on Lanikaula Street in front of him.

Fujiyama’s motorcycle collided with the Pathfinder, and he was thrown from the motorcycle in the impact. The Pathfinder then veered of into a 1996 Helco Company Blazer that had been on Lanikaula waiting to turn onto Railroad at the intersection.

Fujiyama was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he later died as a result of injuries sustained. He was pronounced dead at 10:31 a.m. Fujiyama had not been wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

The driver of the Pathfinder, Merrill Murakamai, 60, received minor injuries in the accident and declined treatment. The driver of the Helco Blazer, Brian Ogawa, 39, of Keaau was not injured in the incident.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a standard negligent homicide case and are continuing the investigation to determine if speed was a factor in the accident. They have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Fujiyama’s death was the 27th traffic fatality so far this year, compared to 34 at the same time last year.

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