(BIVN) – An 11-year-old boy was seriously injured in Volcano on Tuesday, after falling from the bed of a moving pickup truck.
Hawaiʻi police say the incident happened at 7:34 p.m. near the intersection of Maile Way and Alanui Iiwi Road. The boy was riding in the bed of a pickup truck that was towing a food wagon, police determined.
From a police news release:
During the incident, the boy lost his balance and fell from the bed of the pickup truck before being run over by the food wagon being towed by the vehicle.
The boy sustained serious injuries and was transported to Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was subsequently transported to Kapiolani Children’s Hospital on Oahu for further medical treatment.
The pickup truck and food wagon were recovered by police as evidence pending further examination.
Police believe that speed and impairment are not factors in this investigation, and no arrests have been made at this time.
Hawaiʻi state law (HRS 291-14), prohibits operators from carrying passengers under 16 years of age from riding in the bed of a pickup truck. Police say riding in the bed of a pickup truck presents significant safety risks, and they “encourage all motorists to ensure passengers ride in designated seating positions and are wearing a seat belt whenever a vehicle is in operation.”
The Area I Traffic Enforcement Unit is continuing this negligent injury investigation.
Police ask anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who has additional information to please contact Sergeant Keith Nacis at (808) 935-3311, or via email at keith.nacis@hawaiipolice.gov.
