Big Island police Tuesday released a 33-year-old Keaau man from custody pending further investigation following a fatal crash Sunday in Puna.
Big Island police Tuesday released a 33-year-old Keaau man from custody pending further investigation following a fatal crash Sunday in Puna.
The man was being held following his arrest in connection with the incident reported early Sunday in the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision, according to the Hawaii Police Department. West Hawaii Today is not identifying him because he has not been charged with a crime.
The crash on 29th Avenue, according to police, killed 29-year-old Beke Robert Jr. of Keaau.
Responding to the 2:40 a.m. call, Puna patrol officers determined that the man was operating a 2000 Ford Explorer and was reversing from a private driveway when Beke either fell or jumped out of the vehicle and was run over. The 33-year-old was arrested on suspicion of negligent homicide, operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, failure to have no-fault insurance, inattention to driving and driving without a license.
Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have ordered an autopsy to determine Robert’s exact cause of death.