Man facing charges after striking man twice with SUV

A Hilo man is facing nine offenses after he allegedly struck a 49-year-old Hilo man twice with a sport utility vehicle.

Clifford P. Marler, 52, was charged Wednesday with unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, first-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangering, leaving the scene of an accident involving substantial bodily injury, failure to render aid, promoting a dangerous drug and possessing drug paraphernalia, according to the Hawaii County Police Department. He was arrested Tuesday night and charged then with two bench warrants for contempt of court.

Bail for all the offenses was set at $77,500.

At 7:17 p.m. on Feb. 2, police responded to the Hilo Medical Center where it was reported that a 49-year-old Hilo man had been in a discussion with a man, later identified as Marler, in the parking lot of a commercial and residential complex on Hualani Street in Hilo just before 7 p.m. when he was reportedly struck twice by an SUV, according to police. The SUV then fled the scene.

The 49-year-old suffered serious and substantial bodily injury and had to be transferred to The Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu, where he remained until Tuesday.

Police investigation led to the suspect being identified as Marler, who has no permanent address but frequents the Hilo area, according to police.

Police located Marler on Tuesday night and arrested him. During the arrest, police allegedly located a syringe loaded with a substance believed to be heroin. He was held at the Hilo police cellblock while detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section continued the investigation into the incident with the SUV and drug offenses.

He was being held at Hawaii Community Correctional Center pending his initial court appearance scheduled for today.