Navy Man Killed in Head-on Collision

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Navy Man Killed in Head-on Collision

Written by Tina Chau – tchau@kgmb9.com

October 11, 2009 09:19 PM

The 29-year-old navy man was making a turn on Kaukonahua Road, headed toward Waialua when he crossed over onto oncoming traffic, colliding with a rental car carrying four European visitors.

They are okay, but the rider, who was wearing a helmet, was killed.

“It’s apparent that [there was] some speed on the part of the motorcyclist,” said HPD traffic investigator Lt. Darren Izumo, “we don’t suspect any on the part of the vehicle.”

The victim was riding with a group of motorcyclists from the Noxcuse Jus Ride bike club. They had been out on a typical Sunday ride when their friend went down.

“What I was told was he was at the back of the pack, either trying to catch up or was riding slow and then apparently lost control and crossed the center line,” said Lt. Izumo.

The curvy scenic stretch of road is notorious for the number of lives it claims. A memorial still remains for someone killed nearly two years ago, just a couple hundred feet from where the motorcyclist was killed.

“Speed limit is 25,” said Lt. Izumo, “and if you ride at 25 or thereabouts, it’s a safe roadway. It’s a good drive, very scenic. But any time you push that, you’re pushing the limits of surface of the roadway and what engineers designed it for.”

This is the 42nd traffic fatality this year compared to last.