Ocean View man arrested for driving in a construction zone

Hawaiʻi Island police arrested and charged Paul Tresnak, 69, with second-degree reckless endangering and other offenses following a traffic-related incident in Kailua-Kona on Wednesday, June 3.

At 1 p.m., Kona patrol officers responded to a reported disturbance near the intersection of Aliʻi Drive and Hualālai Road involving a white Lexus multipurpose vehicle. Upon arrival, officers contacted a male victim and several witnesses who reported that the Lexus, operated by Tresnak, had entered a construction zone on Hualālai Road.

According to witnesses, after being instructed to stop and turn around, Tresnak allegedly accelerated the vehicle toward a construction worker, causing the worker to jump onto the hood of the vehicle to avoid being run over. The vehicle continued traveling 40 feet before the victim was able to safely get off the hood.

Witnesses further reported that after the victim informed Tresnak that he was calling the police, Tresnak again accelerated the vehicle toward the victim. Other construction workers intervened and blocked the vehicle from leaving the area until officers arrived.

Tresnak was arrested without incident, and detectives with the Area II Criminal Investigation Section continued the investigation.

On Thursday, June 4, after conferring with the Hawaiʻi County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, Tresnak was charged with two counts of second-degree reckless endangering, two counts of second-degree attempted assault, and reckless driving.

His total bail was set at $7,100.

Police ask that anyone with information regarding this incident to please contact Detective Bradley Llanes at 808-326-4646, ext. 268 or via email at Bradley.Llanes@hawaiipolice.gov.