Police say a 14-year-old Pahoa boy died last month from injuries sustained in a one-vehicle crash occurring in Pahoa.
Police say a 14-year-old Pahoa boy died last month from injuries sustained in a one-vehicle crash occurring in Pahoa.
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 Pahoa.
The officer, while conducting checks for the stolen vehicle, heard the screeching of tires and the sound of a collision, police said.
At 11:28 p.m., the found the stolen Jeep, which had collided with a utility pole on South Puni Makai Loop, near Ono Street.
The boy, whom police say was driving the Jeep, was taken to the Hilo Medical Center for his injuries and then flown to The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu 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.
Anyone who witnessed or has information regarding the crash to is asked to call Officer Clarence Acob at 961-2293. Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
This is the 18th official traffic fatality this year compared to 10 at this time last year. There are also four vehicle-related deaths police do not count toward the official yearly total, two that occurred on private property and two others in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.