MEDIA RELEASE

Hawaiʻi Island police are investigating a hit-and-run accident late Wednesday night (August 3) in the Kalapana area.

Puna District police officers responded to an 11:11 p.m. report of a vehicle-pedestrian accident on Highway 130 in Kalapana. A 32-year-old Keaʻau man was reportedly struck by a mini-van while on the side of the road inspecting his stalled vehicle fronting the painted church in Kalapana.

The van sped away in the Pāhoa direction. It was described as light blue.

The victim was taken to Hilo Medical Center and later transferred to The Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Police ask anyone with any information about this case to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or Officer Tristen Allen at 965-2716.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 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. Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.