A tragic incident occurred in Hawaii when an inmate named Matthew J. Ornellas Jr., 33, escaped from the Kauai Community Correctional Center, only to be hit by a car while fleeing from the police. Shortly after escaping the facility, Ornellas jumped onto an interstate and was hit by a car in a hit-and-run accident. Despite being seriously injured, he managed to run north on the southbound lane of Kuhio Highway before ultimately succumbing to his injuries. The Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed his death last week as a result of the injuries he sustained during the escape attempt.
Ornellas was a minimum-security inmate serving time for a drug conviction when he managed to scale a fence with razor wire to escape from the jail. Despite correctional officers giving chase, they lost sight of him, only to discover him on the interstate about 100 yards from the facility. The officers heard a loud sound before finding Ornellas seriously injured and subsequently hospitalized. The escape and ensuing hit-and-run have prompted an ongoing investigation by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed that Ornellas was running north on the southbound lane of Kuhio Highway when he was struck by the vehicle. Authorities are still searching for the driver of the car involved in the hit-and-run, as they fled before first responders could arrive on the scene. Ornellas’s death serves as a tragic reminder of the risks associated with attempting to escape from prison facilities, especially when it involves dangerous actions such as jumping onto a busy interstate.
The inmate’s death was part of a series of tragic incidents in Hawaii, including the recent discovery of a family of five, including three children, found dead after a reported murder-suicide. Ornellas’s escape and subsequent death have added to the grim news coming out of Hawaii, highlighting the challenges faced by law enforcement and correctional agencies in managing and preventing such incidents. The tragic outcome of Ornellas’s escape underscores the importance of ensuring the security and safety of prison facilities to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
Despite the circumstances surrounding Ornellas’s escape and death, the authorities have continued to investigate the incident to determine any potential lapses in security or procedures that may have contributed to the tragic outcome. Ornellas’s case serves as a reminder of the risks and dangers associated with attempting to escape from prison, as well as the potential consequences of such actions. The Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has vowed to continue its efforts to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future and to ensure the safety and security of both inmates and the general public.
In the wake of Ornellas’s tragic escape and subsequent death, the Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has faced scrutiny and criticism over the incident, with calls for improved security measures and protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future. The search for the driver involved in the hit-and-run accident remains ongoing, as authorities seek to bring them to justice for their role in the tragic incident. Ornellas’s death has left a lasting impact on his family, as well as the community at large, serving as a stark reminder of the consequences of criminal behavior and the risks associated with escaping from prison.
