Hawaiʻi Police Department
Traffic Enforcement Unit, Area I
Sergeant Christopher D. Gali
Phone: 961-2332
Report No. C14001610
Media Release
A 58-year-old Hilo man died Saturday (January 18) after being involved in a motor vehicle/bicycle crash on Route 19, 619 feet north of the 3-mile-marker.
Responding to a 8:48 a.m. call, South Hilo patrol and Traffic Enforcement Unit officers determined that the bicyclist was traveling north on Route 19 when he hit the sidewalk of a bridge and fell over onto the roadway and was then struck by a 1995 International semi-truck which was also traveling north.
The driver of the truck, a 66-year-old Hilo man, was not injured.
The bicyclist was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 10:48 p.m.
It is unknown at this time if speed, alcohol or drugs were involved in part of the driver but officers did detect an odor of alcohol on the bicyclist.
Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
The name of the bicyclist is being withheld pending positive identification and notification of the next of kin.
Anyone with information about this crash is asked to call Officer Tuckloy Aurello at 961-8119.
This is the 3rd traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with two at this time last year.
