MEDIA RELEASE

A 54-year-old Puna man is in police custody following an apparent “road rage” incident in Puna on Wednesday (May 18).

Around 7:49 a.m., police received a report of what initially appeared to be a traffic collision on Maku’u Drive at the Route 130 (Kea’au/Pāhoa Highway) intersection. Police received numerous reports from passing motorists that prior to the collision, the occupants of a blue Chevrolet Equinox had been arguing with the driver of an early model blue BMW sedan and it appeared that one of the vehicles intentionally rammed the other, forcing it off the roadway and into a guardrail.

The 47-year-old driver of the Chevrolet and his 17-year-old son were injured but declined medical treatment. The 54-year-old driver of the BMW sustained minor injuries and was taken to Hilo Medical Center for treatment.

Police learned that the Chevrolet was traveling up Mauku’u Drive when the BMW passed it on the left. This action apparently was followed by aggressive behavior by an occupant of the Chevrolet. The driver in the BMW allegedly made a U-turn and intentionally rammed his car into the driver’s side of the Chevrolet.

The 17-year-old occupant of the Chevrolet was arrested for criminal property damage but was released pending additional investigation.

The driver of the BMW, David Woodward of Kea’au, was arrested for first-degree criminal property damage once he was discharged from the hospital. He is being held in the Hilo police cellblock while detectives from the Criminal Investigations Section conduct further investigation.

Police ask that motorists who witnessed the initial incident on Maku’u Drive or the subsequent collision call Detective Wendell Carter at 961-2378.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.