Motorcyclist dies after Labor Day weekend crash
Hawaii Island police report that a motorcyclist critically injured in a single-vehicle traffic collision Sept. 5 in in lower Puna has died.
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Police identified him as as 53-year-old Joe McDonald of Pahoa.
Officers responding to a 1:48 p.m. call on Sept. 5 determined that McDonald lost control of his southbound 2004 Honda Shadow motorcycle near the 14-mile marker of Highway 137, veered off the roadway and was ejected from the bike.
McDonald was taken to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center before being medivaced to The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu, where he was pronounced dead at at 4:30 a.m. Saturday.
McDonald was not wearing a helmet and, at this time, police think speed, alcohol, and/or drugs are factors in the crash.
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An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
Witnesses are asked to contact Officer Laurence Davis at (808) 961-2339, or [email protected]. Anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
McDonald’s death is the 25th traffic fatality of 2026 as compared to 17 traffic fatalities this same time last year.
