A Government Beach Road resident was arrested Thursday evening after he drove a vehicle into a lava flow on Highway 132.
The suspect, a 55-year-old man who identified himself as a resident of Cinderland EcoVillage, had circumvented a traffic checkpoint at the “Four Corners” intersection in an attempt to view the lava blocking Highway 132.
Police Capt. Samuel Jelsma, Puna district commander, said the suspect — whose name was not disclosed pending formal charges — had initially approached the “Four Corners” checkpoint in a 1993 Toyota pickup truck at approximately 10:30 p.m. Thursday and demanded to be allowed access to see the lava.
After being denied access, he apparently was able to gain access to Highway 132 by utilizing back roads, Jelsma said.
The suspect was brought back to the checkpoint with facial lacerations by another resident, who told police that the suspect had crashed into cooled lava. The suspect was taken to Hilo Medical Center for his injuries, Jelsma said.
Police discovered that the suspect had crashed into the easternmost side of the cooled lava flow on Highway 132, located near the 5 mile marker. The lava was sufficiently cooled to not burn the suspect’s truck, which sustained conventional damage, Jelsma said.
The suspect showed signs of intoxication and was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and was cited for refusing to leave an evacuation zone and a seat-belt violation.
Anyone with additional information about the incident is asked to call (808) 965-2716.