Hawai‘i Police Department
Traffic Enforcement Unit
Acting Sergeant Justin Hooser
Phone: (326-4646, Ext. 229)
Report No. C15009362
Media Release
A 66-year-old Hilo man died Sunday afternoon (March 29) following a two-motorcycle collision at the intersection of Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway and Kealakehe Parkway in Kailua-Kona.
He has been identified as Darryl Arruda.
Responding to a 3 p.m. call, police determined that a maroon 1994 Harley Davidson motorcycle being operated by Arruda was traveling north on Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway in a group with seven other motorcycles. As the group approached the intersection with Kealakehe Parkway, the lead motorcyclist, a 52-year-old Hilo man on a red 1992 Harley Davidson, braked suddenly as the traffic light changed from green to yellow. Arruda was unable to stop in time and rear-ended the lead motorcycle. Both bikes overturned.
Arruda sustained a head injury from the collision. He was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:30 p.m. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
The other rider was not injured.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent homicide investigation and is asking for anyone who witnessed the crash to call Officer Kimo Keliipaakaua or Acting Sergeant Justin Hooser at 326-4646, Ext. 229. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.
This is the 4th traffic fatality this year compared with six at this time last year.