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.