Puna fatality 12-17-12

Hawaiʻi Police Department
Traffic Enforcement Unit
Sergeant Christopher D. Gali
Phone: 961-2332
Report No. C12033565

 

Media Release

A 29-year-old Keaʻau man died Sunday (December 16) from injuries he sustained in a motor vehicle/pedestrian crash on 29th Avenue in the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision in Puna.

The man was identified as Beke Robert Jr. of a Keaʻau address.

Responding to a 2:40 a.m. call, Puna patrol officers determined that a 33-year-old Keaʻau man was operating a 2000 Ford Explorer multi-purpose vehicle and was reversing from a private driveway when the victim either fell or jumped out of the vehicle and was run over.

Fire/rescue personnel took the man to Hilo Medical Center, where he died at 3:42 a.m.

The driver of the vehicle, Sonny D. Kalawe, was arrested for negligent homicide in the first degree, operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, no no-fault insurance, inattention to driving and no operator’s license.

Kalawe is being held at the Hilo police cellblock pending further investigation.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Police ask that anyone with information on this case call Officer Tuckloy Aurello at 961-8119.

Because this occurred in a private subdivision, the death is not counted toward the official traffic fatality count.


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