A 65-year-old Hawaii island man died Tuesday from injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash Monday on Akoni Pule Highway, one mile west of Pololu Loop in North Kohala. 

He was identified as James R. Wright of a Hawi address. 

Police said the motorcyclist was traveling east on Akoni Pule Highway when he crossed the center line and ran off the left side of the road, hitting a tree. 

Wright and his female passenger, a 49-year-old Hawi woman, were taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital. Both were later flown to the Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu, police said.

Wright died Tuesday at 10:59 p.m. 

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have asked for a coroner’s inquest case and have ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death. 

This is the 26th traffic fatality on Hawaii island this year compared with 15 at this time last year.