Hawaii County police have opened a negligent homicide investigation into a Pahoa crash that killed a 65-year-old motorcyclist Thursday.

The victim was identified as 65-year-old Bo Lozoff of Kalapana.

At 3:34 p.m. Thursday, police said the motorcycle rider was traveling north on Route 130 in a 2003 Suzuki motorcycle when a 1999 Lexus multipurpose vehicle operated by a 66-year-old Pahoa man failed to yield the right of way, making a left turn onto Leilani Avenue, and the vehicles collided.

The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said he was not wearing a helmet. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.

The driver of the Lexus was not injured. Police said the driver’s wife, 64, was transported to Hilo Medical Center in a private vehicle where she was treated for minor injuries and released. 

This is the 37th traffic fatality on Hawaii island compared to 19 at the same time last year. Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call officer Tuckloy Aurello at 961-8119.