KAILUA-KONA — Hawaii Island police on Saturday arrested a motorist after he disregarded and sped through a traffic control checkpoint on Government Beach Road, just north of the intersection with Highway 132 as an active lava flow approached.
The Hawaii Police Department identified the man as an Allan Bartels, a 62-year-old man with a residence in Kapoho.
At approximately 8:30 a.m. Saturday, a man drove up to a police checkpoint on Government Beach Road, also known as Highway 137, just north of the Highway 132, “Four Corners” intersection. Upon being contacted by officers and informed that the road was closed and he could not enter the area, he disregarded the officer’s commands and sped through the checkpoint at a high rate of speed.
Officers pursued the man’s van with flashing lights and siren in an attempt to stop it, however, he continued south approaching two county workers who were standing on the road attempting to flag the van down. The driver was observed to shake his head and continue toward them causing the county worker to jump off the road to avoid being struck.
Officers pursued the suspect to a residence located just above Government Beach Road and arrested him; they then expedited their way back out of the area through the “Four Corner” intersection area as the lava flow was within 50 to 100 feet from crossing onto the roadway and cutting off an exit route.
The suspect was later charged with refusing to evacuate, obstructing government operations, resisting order to stop motor vehicle, reckless driving, and two counts of reckless endangering in the second degree. He remains in custody in lieu of $3,750 bail.
Anyone with information on this incident should call Officer Duane Rapoza of the Puna District at 965-2716 or the police nonemergency telephone number 935-3311.