A 62-year-old Holualoa man died following a single-vehicle crash on Thursday on Mamalahoa Highway in South Kona.
The man was identified Friday by the Hawaii Police Department as Perry Lynn Deleeuw.
Responding to a 4:27 p.m. call, police determined that a black 2016 Harley-Davidson Street Glide motorcycle heading north ran off of the roadway near mile marker 92 and lost control, striking a rock embankment, which ejected the rider. The motorcyclist was transported to the Kona Community Hospital where he was later pronounced dead at 6:02 p.m.
Deleeuw was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and police believe that speed is a possible factor in the crash.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and is asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact Officer Adam Roberg at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229, or email at adam.roberg@hawaiicounty.gov. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
This is the third traffic fatality this year compared to two at this time last year.