Puna Man Charged After Reckless Driving Incident on Highway 130

35-year-old Tony Francisco Torres faces multiple charges including a felony for resisting police orders.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:03am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a damaged car side mirror reflecting a blurry red and blue police light, shot with a harsh direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the aftermath of a reckless driving incident.A damaged car side mirror reflects the flashing lights of a police vehicle, a stark visual reminder of the consequences of reckless driving.Hilo Today

A 35-year-old Puna man named Tony Francisco Torres was arrested and charged following an April 2 incident on Highway 130 near the Pahoa Police Station. According to police, Torres was driving a Nissan Pathfinder at a high rate of speed, swerving into the median and forcing other vehicles off the road while road crews were repainting lines. Torres was located and arrested the following day at a Puna residence.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the dangers of reckless driving and the potential consequences drivers can face when they disregard traffic laws and put other motorists at risk. The charges against Torres, including a felony for resisting police orders, demonstrate the seriousness with which law enforcement treats such behavior on Hawaii's roads.

The details

On April 2, Torres was operating a Nissan Pathfinder on Highway 130 near the Pahoa Police Station when he drove into the median at a high rate of speed. This forced other vehicles in heavy traffic to move off the roadway to avoid colliding with Torres' vehicle while road crews were repainting lines. The following day, officers located and arrested Torres at a Puna residence.

  • The incident occurred on April 2, 2026.
  • Torres was arrested the following day, April 3, 2026.
  • Torres made his initial court appearance on Monday, April 6, 2026.

The players

Tony Francisco Torres

A 35-year-old resident of Puna, Hawaii who was charged with multiple offenses including a felony for resisting police orders after a reckless driving incident on Highway 130.

Andrew Son

The Deputy Prosecuting Attorney handling the case against Torres.

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What they’re saying

“This incident highlights the dangers of reckless driving and the potential consequences drivers can face when they disregard traffic laws and put other motorists at risk.”

— Andrew Son, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney

What’s next

Torres is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on April 9, 2026, where the court will determine if there is sufficient evidence to proceed with the charges against him.

The takeaway

This case serves as a warning to drivers in Hawaii that reckless and dangerous behavior on the roads will be taken seriously by law enforcement. It underscores the need for all motorists to operate their vehicles safely and responsibly to protect themselves and others.