Traffic crash leads to assault during which victim is bitten, punched, struck with hatchet

A 44-year-old Big Island man is facing several charges following a traffic crash and assault earlier this week during which he is said to have bitten, punched and struck another man with a hatchet.

Daniel Jones of Pāhoa was arrested following the incident July 8 and charged July 9 with:

• First-degree assault.
• First-degree terroristic threatening.
• Second-degree assault.
• Third-degree assault.
• Third-degree criminal property damage.
• Two counts of fourth-degree criminal property damage.

Jones’ bail was set at $21,300. He is detained at the East Hawai‘i Detention Center in Hilo pending his initial court appearance todady in Hilo District Court.

Just before 11:30 a.m. July 8, Puna Patrol officers with the Hawai‘i Police Department responded to a report of an active assault in the area of the 14-2800 block of Government Beach Road in Pāhoa.

Upon arriving at the scene, officers contacted a 49-year-old Puna man who reported being in a traffic crash with Jones, who became violent toward him. The victim reported that while attempting to call police, Jones attacked and assaulted him, biting and punching him.

The victim also stated Jones struck him with a hatchet and threatened to kill him.

The victim sustained a laceration to his right forearm from being struck with the hatchet and also sustained numerous abrasions in various areas of his body. The victim reported that Jones slammed his cellphone into the ground, destroying it, and struck numerous areas of his vehicle with the hatchet, causing damages.

The suspect’s vehicle was recovered at the scene and was towed to the Hilo Police Station. It was secured in the vehicle evidence cage pending the execution of a search warrant.

Both the victim and Jones were transported to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center for treatment of their injuries. Both released shortly thereafter.

Officers subsequently arrested Jones, who was transported to the East Hawai’i Detention Center for booking and processing. Detectives continued to investigate.

Detectives with the Police Department’s Area I Criminal Investigation Section on July 9 executed a search warrant on Jones’ vehicle and recovered multiple hatchet-type weapons.

Anyone with information about this crime can contact Detective Paul Mangus at 808-961-2383 or via email at paul.mangus@hawaiicounty.gov.

Those who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.