Big Island police identified the 20-year-old man who died last night from injuries he sustained when his motorcycle collided with a car as Dalton B. Cates, of Kailua-Kona.

The accident occurred at Route 190 and Makalapua Road in North Kona just before 6:28 p.m.

 Kona patrol officers said Cates was driving  a 2004 Yamaha motorcycle and traveling north on Route 190 when he collided with a 2000 Chevrolet four-dour sedan which was making a left turn from Makalapua Road to Highway 190.

Big Island firefighters said Cates was thrown from his motorcycle which also struck a guardrail and went down an embankment. Police said he was wearing a helmet.

Cates and the Chevrolet driver, a 30-year-old Kailua-Kona man, were taken to Kona Community Hospital. Cates was pronounced dead at 7:25 p.m.

The Chevrolet driver was treated and released with minor injuries.

It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs were involved, but witnesses reported that the motorcycle was speeding before the crash.

Police opened a negligent homicide investigation and closed Highway 190 between Hinalani Street and Kaloko Drive last night while they investigated the crash.

An autopsy was ordered to find the exact cause of Cates’ death.

This is the second traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with one at this time last year.