Hawaii police officer on leave after bicyclist killed

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii -- A police officer on Hawaii's Big Island has been placed on administrative leave following a fatal on-duty vehicle collision with a bicyclist from Michigan.

West Hawaii Today reports 30-year-old Hawaii Island police officer Jody Buddemeyer was arrested on suspicion of negligent homicide in connection with the Sunday morning death of 63-year-old Jeffrey Sunow of West Bloomfield, Michigan.

Buddemeyer was released pending further investigation.

Authorities say the bicyclist was found lying face down near a badly damaged bicycle on the shoulder of Waikoloa Road. Responders say Sunow died at the scene.

Police say Buddemeyer reported the crash shortly before 6:30 a.m. Sunday.

According to CBS Honolulu, Acting Battalion Chief Capt. John Whitman says the area whereh the crash occurred is very treacherous for bike riders, especially during sunrise.

"It's kinda dangerous for a bicyclist to be riding in that area, being the sun rising and such, hard to see them. And there's no shoulder for those bicyclists to be riding on. They basically have to ride on the road, which is a pretty dangerous area," said Capt. Whitman.