Hawaiʻi Police Department
Criminal Investigations Section, Area I
Lieutenant Gregory Esteban
Phone: 962-2252
Report No. C12006955
Media Release
A 30-year-old man died Monday (March 12) after a tree fell on him while he was helping to clear a vacant lot in Puna.
The victim has been identified as Methodius Suda of Hilo.
Shortly after 3:30 p.m. Monday, Puna patrol officers responded to 15th Ave off Makuʻu Street in the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision and learned that Suda had been helping cut down trees on a relative’s lot. As he was cutting an Albizia tree, he was struck in the head by a falling ʻohia tree and knocked unconscious. The 30-40 foot ʻohia tree, about 8-10 inches in diameter, had already been cut and was leaning against the Albizia tree before it knocked against Suda.
Fire Department personnel took him to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 4:45 p.m.
An autopsy was conducted Tuesday (March 13). Preliminary results were not immediately available.
Police do not suspect foul play.