Puna man charged after reckless driving exploit in heavy traffic near Pāhoa Police Station while road crews worked

A 35-year-old Puna man faces several offenses connected with a reckless driving incident at the beginning of the month near Pāhoa Police Station.

Hawai‘i County prosecuting attorney’s office reports Tony Francisco Torres is charged with:

• First-degree resisting an order to stop a motor vehicle.
• Driving while license canceled, suspended or revoked.
• Reckless driving of vehicle.

Torres made his initial court appearance Monday afternoon, April 6, in Hilo District Court, during which his bail was maintained at $22,000 and he was ordered to return Thursday, April 9, for a preliminary hearing.

The charges stem from an April 2 incident on Highway 130 near Pāhoa Police Station.

Hawai‘i Police Department reports Torres, who was driving a Nissan Pathfinder, speeded into the median during heavy traffic, causing other motorists to move their vehicles off the roadway to avoid colliding with the Nissan. At the same time, road crews were in the area repainting lines.

Officers located Torres the next day and subsequently arrested him at a Puna residence.

The most serious offense he faces is first-degree resisting an order to stop a motor vehicle, which is a Class C felony punishable by either 5 years in prison or 4 years probation and up to 1 year in jail.

Torres was arrested by Hawai‘i Police Department Puna Patrol, which also conducted the felony investigation.

Hawai‘i County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Son is prosecuting the case.