GINOZA, Okinawa — A 33-year-old Army captain died Saturday — his birthday — when the motorcycle he was riding was hit by a car on Highway 329.
Capt. Jimmy Paul Dicus, commander of Headquarters and Support Company, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Battalion at Torii Station was pronounced dead at Hokubu Hospital in Nago at 3 p.m.
Okinawa police said Dicus was northbound on Highway 329 at 2:40 p.m. when his 900cc motorcycle was struck by a southbound Honda sedan making a right turn in front of him.
He was thrown from the motorcycle and knocked unconscious, police said. He had massive head and bodily injuries. Dicus was wearing a helmet.
The driver of the car, Sumi Hokama, 67, of Kin was admitted to the hospital after complaining of whiplash, police said.
Tim Dougherty, an Army public affairs spokesman, said Dicus was a 10-year Army veteran and is survived by a wife and three children who live on Okinawa. His birthday was Saturday.
The cause of the crash is under investigation and plans for a memorial service are pending.
— Chiyomi Sumida contributed to this report.
