Hawaii Island police are investigating a fatal traffic collision between a motor vehicle and a motorcycle on South Glenwood Road in Mountain View early this morning.

Officers responding to a 12:51 a.m. report of a traffic collision learned that a makai-bound 2023 Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle was passing multiple vehicles in a “no-passing” zone. Traveling makai in the mauka-bound lane and approaching a blind hill, the motorcycle collided head-on with a mauka-bound 2014 Mazda four-door sedan.

The motorcyclist, identified as 24-year-old Tyler Napoleon of Hilo, was taken to Hilo Benioff Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 5:49 a.m. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

The 43-year-old Volcano man driving the Mazda wasn’t injured, police said.

Police think speed and reckless driving are factors in the crash, and said Napoleon wasn’t wearing a helmet.

Anyone with additional information on the collision is asked to contact Officer Jerome Duarte at (808) 961-2339 or at Jerome.Duarte@hawaiicounty.gov. Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

Napoleon’s death is the 17th traffic fatality of 2026 compared to 13 this same time last year.