WAILUKU >> A U.S. soldier visiting his father on Maui died after the vehicle he was driving rear-ended a motorcycle, then crashed into trees and caught fire.

Taylor D. Norris, 26, died at the scene of the crash in Kaanapali.

Norris was a helicopter mechanic and on leave while transferring from his station in South Korea to a new assignment in Texas, police said.

Police said his 2005 BMW X5 was traveling north on Honoapiilani Highway toward Honokowai when it crashed about 869 feet south of Kaanapali Parkway about 11:46 last night.

Police said a 50-year-old man riding the motorcycle was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center for injuries and later flown to Oahu. He was wearing a helmet, police said. His condition was not available.

Police are investigating whether speed, alcohol and drugs contributed to the crash.
Norris was the 15th traffic fatality in Maui County this year, compared with 17 at the same time last year.