A 14-year-old Pahoa boy who was apparently driving a stolen Jeep died from injuries he suffered in a one-vehicle crash occurring April 14 in Puna.
At 10:07 p.m. on April 14, a Puna patrol officer responded to a reported theft of a 2001 Jeep sports 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.
At 11:28 p.m., the officer located the stolen Jeep which had apparently crash into a utility pole on South Puni Makai Loop, near Ono Street.
The boy, the driver of the Jeep, was taken to the Hilo Medical Center for his injuries and then medevaced to The Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu where he was pronounced dead at 10:55 a.m. on April 16.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
The Area I Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a Coroner’s Inquest investigation.
Anyone who witnessed or has information regarding the crash should call Officer Clarence Acob at 961-2293. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
This is the 18th traffic fatality this year compared with 10 at this time last year.