A 15-year-old boy died in a single dirt bike motorcycle crash in Honokaa.

He is identified as Aukai Ahuna.

At about 3 p.m. Monday, police said a Suzuki dirt bike operated by Ahuna was traveling north on Pikake Street. As he approached the Ohia Street intersection, he lost control and was thrown from his motorcycle and struck a 2006 Ford truck.

He was transported to North Hawaii Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 3:51 p.m.

The truck driver, a 47-year-old Honokaa man, was uninjured.

Police said speed was a factor, although Ahuna was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

An autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.

Police have initiated a negligent homicide investigation. Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call Officer Casey Cabral at 961-8889 or CrimeStoppers at 961-8300.

This is the 10th traffic-related fatality on the Big Island this year. The same number of fatalities occurred at this time last year.