Hawai’i Police Department
Traffic Enforcement Unit
Sergeant Christopher D. Gali
Phone: 961-2332
March 9, 2009
Report No. C09007218
Media Release
A 49-year-old Puna man died Sunday (March 8) from injuries he sustained in an all-terrain vehicle crash on Road B in the Hawaiian Acres subdivision in the Puna District.
The victim was identified as Robert Teixeira of a Kurtistown address.
Responding to an 8:17 p.m. call, Puna patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a Suzuki King Quad ATV and traveling north on Road B when he lost control and overturned. The ATV was found on the victim.
The victim was wearing a helmet.
The victim was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 11:50 p.m.
It is unknown at this time if speed or alcohol were involved.
Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a coroner’s inquest case and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Police ask anyone with information on this crash to call Officer Andres Fojas at 961-8889.
Because this crash occurred on a private road, the death is not counted toward the island’s official traffic fatality count.