A man has died from injuries which he sustained in a motorcycle crash Saturday afternoon on Highway 19, .01 mile north of the 26-mile marker in Laupahoehoe.
The motorcyclist has been identified as 49-year-old Vincent L. Pereira Jr., of Moutain View.
Responding to a 3:41 p.m. call, police determined that Pereira was operating a 2000 Harley Davidson motorcycle south on Highway 19 when he crossed over the double solid yellow line and struck a guard rail. Pereira sustained critical injuries from the collision and was taken to the Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 6:47 p.m.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact Officer Jared Cabatu at 961-2339.
This is the 20th traffic fatality this year compared to 27 at this time last year.