Motorcyclist killed in North Kona crash

A 31-year-old motorcyclist was killed early Monday in a two-vehicle collision on Queen Kaahumanu Highway in North Kona.

The Hawaii Police Department identified the man as Ira Michael De Mattos of North Kohala.

Responding to a 12:26 a.m. call, police determined that a red 2018 Honda CBR motorcycle heading northbound passed another vehicle at a high rate of speed in the opposite shoulder of the roadway about one-tenth mile north of mile marker 79, police said.

The motorcycle was in a passing zone and sideswiped a southbound gray 2016 Chevrolet Silverado pickup driven by a 49-year-old Kailua-Kona, police said. At the time of the crash, the motorcycle’s headlight was off.

The 31-year-old man operating the motorcycle was transported to the Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 5:10 a.m.

The driver of the Chevrolet pickup, along with his two female passengers were not injured in the collision, according to police.

Police believe that speed is a factor in the crash. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash should contact Officer Kelsey Kobayashi at 326-4646, ext. 229.

This is the fourth traffic fatality this year on Big Island public roads compared to two at this time in 2019.