Kurtistown man dies after motorcycle, Tesla crash in Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision

News admin May 19, 2026 0 Comments

Kurtistown man dies after motorcycle, Tesla crash in Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii Island police are investigating a fatal traffic collision involving a motorcycle and a vehicle that occurred Monday afternoon in the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision of Kea‘au.

Responding to the 4:30 p.m. crash, police said a Suzuki enduro motorcycle was speeding northbound (Hilo-bound) on 12th Avenue between Paradise Drive and Kaloli Drive when it passed another vehicle and collided with a southbound (Pahoa-bound) Tesla turning left into a private driveway in the 1500–1600 block.

The operator of the motorcycle, identified as 58-year-old Max Mattos of Kurtistown, was unresponsive at the scene and transported to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 5:41 p.m.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

The driver of the Tesla, a 47-year-old woman from Kea‘au, was not injured.

At this time, police believe speed and reckless driving are factors in this collision. Mattos was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

The Area I Traffic Enforcement Unit responded to the scene and is continuing this investigation.

If anyone has additional information regarding this collision, they may contact Officer Johnathan Rapoza at (808) 961-2339, or via email at [email protected].

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

This is the 13th traffic fatality of 2026 on Hawai‘i Island roads compared to 13 at the same time last year. It also marks the eighth traffic fatality on the island in the past two weeks, and the fourth since last Friday.

Police continue to remind motorists that many traffic fatalities are preventable and urge motorists to remain attentive, obey traffic laws, and operate their vehicles responsibly.