HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
OFFICER REED MAHUNA
PHONE: 961-2332
APRIL 23, 2004
H-88491/PN
NEGLIGENT HOMICIDE

MEDIA RELEASE

A 22-year-old Puna man died Friday (April 23, 2004) of injuries he received in a traffic crash that occurred the day before in the Orchid Land Estates subdivision of Puna.

The victim was identified as Noel Marley, of a Hawaiian Beaches address.

Responding to a 4:20 p.m. call Thursday, Puna patrol officers determined the victim had been a passenger in a “pipe” type dune buggy operated by Shawn Carter, 28, of a Hilo address. Carter was traveling north on 40th Avenue near Orchid Land Drive when he lost control of the vehicle, which rolled over onto its side and then onto the victim.

The victim was taken to the Hilo Medical Center for treatment and later died at 5:16 a.m. Friday of his injuries.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers are continuing an investigation into the crash. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call Officer Wendall Carter or Officer Reed Mahuna of the TEU at 961-2332.

Because the crash occurred in a private subdivision, the death was classified as a non-traffic fatality.

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