A 33-year-old inmate named Matthew J. Ornellas Jr. who escaped from the Kauai Community Correctional Center in Hawaii last Friday died after being hit by a car while fleeing police. Ornellas was attempting to escape by jumping onto an interstate when he was struck by a car in a serious hit-and-run incident. Despite being seriously injured, Ornellas was found a short distance from the jail and taken to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Correctional officers at the facility had given chase when he escaped by scaling a fence with razor wire, but were unable to catch him before the accident occurred.
According to the Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Ornellas was serving time for a drug conviction at the time of his escape. The inmate was a minimum-security prisoner at the Kauai Community Correctional Center, and his attempt to break out ended tragically with the hit-and-run incident. Authorities are continuing the investigation into the circumstances of the escape and the events leading up to Ornellas’ death. The driver of the vehicle that struck Ornellas fled the scene before first responders arrived, and efforts are being made to locate and apprehend the person responsible for the hit-and-run.
Ornellas was reportedly running in the wrong direction on the interstate, heading north in the southbound lane of Kuhio Highway when he was hit by the car. Despite the efforts of correctional officers to pursue him after he escaped, they lost sight of Ornellas before the accident occurred. The inmate’s death has raised questions about the security measures in place at the Kauai Community Correctional Center and the response of correctional officers to the escape. The tragic incident highlights the dangers faced by both inmates and law enforcement officers in such situations.
The family of Ornellas, as well as the larger community of Kauai, has been deeply affected by the inmate’s death and the circumstances surrounding his escape. The Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is working to address the issues raised by the incident and ensure that similar events do not occur in the future. The search for the driver of the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run is ongoing, with authorities seeking to identify and locate the individual responsible for Ornellas’ death. The tragic outcome of the escape serves as a reminder of the risks and consequences associated with attempting to break out of a correctional facility.
Despite being a minimum-security prisoner, Ornellas’ escape ended in tragedy, highlighting the need for increased vigilance and security at correctional facilities. The incident has prompted a review of safety protocols and procedures at the Kauai Community Correctional Center, with a focus on preventing future escapes and improving the response to such incidents. The death of the inmate has sparked a broader discussion about the treatment of inmates and the challenges faced by the correctional system in Hawaii. Authorities are committed to finding justice for Ornellas and ensuring that those responsible for his death are held accountable for their actions.
