KAUAI, HI – A prisoner who managed to break free from a correctional facility in Hawaii on Friday was almost immediately involved in a severe hit-and-run incident, according to local law enforcement.
Matthew J. Ornellas Jr. made his escape from Kauai Community Correctional Center just past 1 a.m., as reported by the Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Shortly after his escape, Ornellas was hit by a vehicle while attempting to cross Kuhio Highway.
Prison officers discovered Ornellas roughly 100 yards from the correctional facility. He had sustained serious injuries from the hit-and-run and was immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment.
As of Friday, Ornellas remained in critical condition under police watch.
The search is ongoing for the driver of the vehicle that hit Ornellas, who absconded the scene before emergency services could arrive, according to Kauai police.
Rosemarie Bernardo, a representative for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, stated that Ornellas managed to escape by scaling a fence topped with razor wire.
Ornellas was serving time for the distribution of a dangerous drug, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed.
John Calma, a public defender, confirmed that he was representing Ornellas in a case related to probation violation but refused to comment on the escape incident.
The Kauai Community Correctional Center, where Ornellas was incarcerated, is a facility with around 130 beds that offers a variety of programs including education, substance abuse treatment, religious counseling, cultural arts, and work furlough programs.
The Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has acknowledged on its website that its facilities are aging, which has been a barrier to reducing recidivism and promoting safer communities.