Arrest Made in Connection with Hit-And-Run in Pā‘ia

An arrest was made on Thursday in connection with a pedestrian hit-and-run crash in Pāʻia last week that resulted in potentially life threatening injuries.

Maui Police Vehicle Homicide investigators obtained a search warrant for the seizure and search of a 1989 Volkswagen Vanagon van at around 1:36 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 18.

A short time later, at 2:25 p.m., investigators contacted Ronald W. Parker, 76, at his Pāʻia residence. Police say soon thereafter, Parker “made admissions of his involvement in the crash, and admitted to being the operator of the vehicle that struck a pedestrian on Nov. 9, 2021 in Pāʻia.”

Parker was arrested for the offense of Accidents Involving Substantial Bodily Injury, and was processed and released pending further investigation.

Police say, “This is common with these types of investigations as further information and investigation is needed before presenting the case to prosecutors.”

The pedestrian, identified as a 41-year-old Pāʻia man, sustained potentially life threatening injuries as a result of this crash.

The crash was reported at around 5:32 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 9, on Baldwin Ave., 253 feet north of Anohou St. Wailuku District Officers responded to the report of a pedestrian that was possibly hit and laying in the roadway. The pedestrian was transported from the scene to the Maui Memorial Medical Center Emergency Room.

The MPD Traffic Division Vehicle Homicide Unit was contacted to assist with the investigation. Investigators determined that the pedestrian was within the roadway, outside of a marked crosswalk when he was struck by a north bound vehicle. Police say the operator of the vehicle fled the scene and failed to render aid to the victim or provide information to police as required by law.

Wailuku patrol officers, in conducting a follow up investigation in the same neighborhood as the crash, documented and forwarded their findings to investigators. Investigators reviewed photographs, and physical evidence recovered at the scene and subsequently applied for a search warrant to seize Parker’s vehicle in relation to the crash.

“Motor vehicle crashes that involve life threatening injuries or a fatality are very complex and time consuming investigations,” said Lieutenant William Hankins, Commander of the Traffic Division. “Our team of investigators, along with Wailuku Patrol Officers spent countless hours investigating this crash, and we will continue to work diligently to ensure a complete and detailed investigation of this crash is presented for prosecution. The victim in this crash and his family deserve a thorough and complete investigation by police, and that is exactly what families and victims can expect.”