HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - An Aiea woman confirmed Monday that the motorcyclist who died on the H1 Freeway Sunday night was her husband, Jonathan Thompson.
So far this year, 11 people have died on Oahu's roadways. Six of them were riding a motorcycle or a moped. The driver of the SUV that struck Thompson is urging bikers to ride safely.
Neighbors of the latest motorcycle crash victim described him as an experienced biker and church member.
"Jon Thompson, he was a nice, nice person. He loved bikes, motorcycles," Rubec Agbayani, neighbor, said. "He's been riding a lot."
Investigators say Jonathan Thompson, 51, of Aiea may have been speeding and cutting in and out of traffic, when he lost control of his Suzuki Intruder near the freeway's Palama street off-ramp. He veered into the path of a Lincoln Navigator and suffered massive head injuries when he was struck.
"Shocked. Too bad," Agbayani said.
The driver of the SUV -- Oscar Garcia, 60, of Waipahu -- says he was on his way home after finishing his shift as a waiter at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki. He says he hasn't been able to eat or sleep since the incident.
"It's been a nightmare for him. He's really a great driver with no tickets at all," Selia Garcia, SUV driver's wife, said. "I kept crying and crying because I know it wasn't his fault."
"From our hearts, our deepest sympathy to the family," Selia Garcia continued. "We feel bad that someone died."
So far this year, there have been six motorcycle and moped fatalities on Oahu. That's more than the number of vehicle and pedestrian deaths combined.
Police say there were two motorcycle or moped fatalities at this time last year, and one during the same period in 2010.
"Especially motorcycles, you have to go slow and careful, be extra careful," Agbayani said.
Thompson was not wearing a helmet. The driver of the SUV was not injured.
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Rubec Agbayani
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