Man, 48, charged after Hilo crash leaves motorcyclist critically injured
A 48-year-old man has been charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant in connection with Thursday’s two-vehicle collision that critically injured a motorcyclist in Hilo.
Joshua Manzano-Hill of Hilo was also charged with first-degree negligent injury, promoting a dangerous drug in the third-degree and promoting a detrimental drug in the third-degree.
His bail is set at $31,000.
The collision occurred at the Mamalahoa Highway (Highway 19) and Hau Street intersection in the Wainaku area of Hilo shortly before 8:30 p.m.
Police investigators determined a 2013 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck operated by Manzano-Hill made a left turn from Hau Street onto the highway, causing a 2005 Honda motorcycle operated by a 39-year-old man traveling Hilo-bound on the highway to collide with the rear driver’s side of the vehicle, the Hawaii County Police Department said.
Road conditions were wet at the time due to rainfall.
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The motorcyclist was taken to Hilo Medical Center and later medvaced to The Queen’s Medical Center in critical but stable condition.
Police said Manzano-Hill was not injured in the collision. Officers arrested him at the scene on suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant.
During the course of the investigation, police executed a search warrant of the Toyota Tacoma and recovered multiple alcohol containers, cocaine and marijuana from the pickup truck, police said.