Kauai police are investigating the hit-and-run incident that led to the death of Matthew J. Ornellas Jr., who escaped from Kauai Community Correctional Center. Ornellas, a 33-year-old minimum-security inmate serving time for a drug conviction, fled from the jail in the early hours of last Friday. He was seriously injured after being struck by a vehicle on Kuhio Highway, just 100 yards away from the jail. Despite being taken to a hospital in serious condition and remaining in custody, Ornellas’ condition deteriorated, and he was pronounced dead on Thursday.
The Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is conducting an investigation into Ornellas’ escape. Officials stated that Ornellas scaled a fence with razor wire and was being pursued by correctional officers before entering a dense brush area, where he was able to evade capture. The hit-and-run incident occurred as Ornellas was running north in the southbound lane of Kuhio Highway, and the driver fled the scene before emergency responders arrived. A public defender who previously represented Ornellas for a probation violation has declined to comment on the escape.
Ornellas’ escape and subsequent death have raised questions about the security measures in place at the Kauai Community Correctional Center. While Ornellas was a minimum-security inmate, his ability to flee the facility and be struck by a vehicle on a nearby highway has sparked concerns about the effectiveness of the prison’s safety protocols. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is facing scrutiny over how Ornellas was able to evade capture and ultimately meet a tragic end.
The incident has also brought attention to the issue of overcrowding and understaffing within Hawaii’s correctional facilities. With limited resources and personnel, prisons struggle to maintain order and prevent incidents like Ornellas’ escape. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation may face pressure to address these issues and implement changes to prevent similar incidents in the future. The tragic death of Ornellas serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the state’s correctional system and the need for improvements to ensure the safety and security of both inmates and the public.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the hit-and-run incident or the driver responsible for striking Ornellas to come forward. The driver fled the scene before police arrived, leaving Ornellas injured and ultimately leading to his death. As the investigation continues, law enforcement officials are working to piece together the events that led to Ornellas’ escape and subsequent tragic end. The community mourns the loss of Ornellas, and questions remain about the circumstances surrounding his death and the factors that contributed to his untimely passing.
