The Hawai‘i Island community is mourning the tragic loss of Tyler Napoleon, 24, of Hilo, who died following a devastating motorcycle crash in Mountain View during the early hours of Tuesday morning. Authorities confirmed that Napoleon succumbed to injuries sustained in a head-on collision involving his motorcycle and a passenger vehicle on South Glenwood Road.
According to Hawai‘i Island police, officers responded to the scene at approximately 12:51 a.m. Investigators determined that Napoleon was operating a 2023 Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle southbound on South Glenwood Road when he attempted to pass multiple vehicles in a designated no-passing zone. While traveling in the northbound lane and approaching a blind hill, the motorcycle collided head-on with a 2014 Mazda sedan traveling northbound.
Emergency responders transported Napoleon to Hilo Benioff Medical Center for treatment. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, he later died from his injuries and was pronounced deceased at 5:49 a.m. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
Police reported that the driver of the Mazda, a 43-year-old man from Volcano, was not injured in the crash. Preliminary findings indicate that speed and reckless driving may have contributed to the collision. Investigators also noted that Napoleon was not wearing a helmet at the time of the incident.
The East Hawai‘i Traffic Enforcement Unit continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact Officer Jerome Duarte or Crime Stoppers. This marks Hawai‘i Island’s 17th traffic fatality of 2026, compared to 13 at the same time last year.
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