Pāhoa Boy Dies as Result of Jeep Crash

A 14-year-old Pāhoa boy died from injuries sustained in a one-vehicle crash.

On April 14 at 10:07 p.m., a Puna patrol officer responded to a reported theft of a 2001 Jeep sport-utility vehicle that had just occurred at a residence on Palani Street in Pāhoa.

The officer, while conducting checks for the stolen vehicle, heard the screeching of tires and the sound of a collision.

At 11:28 p.m., the officer located the stolen Jeep, which had collided with a utility pole on South Puni Makai Loop near Ono Street.

The boy, the driver of the Jeep, was taken to the Hilo Medical Center for his injuries and then medevaced to Queen’s Medical Center where he was pronounced dead on April 16 at 10:55 a.m.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

The Area I Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a Coroner’s Inquest investigation.

Police ask anyone who witnessed or has information regarding the crash to call Officer Clarence Acob at 961-2293. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.

This is the 18th traffic fatality this year compared with 10 at this time last year.