Kailua man missing since crash on Dec. 28

Advertiser Staff

Police are asking for the public's help in finding a 37-year-old Kailua man who has been missing since Dec. 28.

John R. Lucas, an engineer, did not return home after his 1997 green two-door Camaro was involved in an accident on the Pali Highway that evening. The car was traveling toward Kailua and crashed 300 feet west of the junction with Kamehameha Highway, police said.

Lucas' wife, Elke, said she talked to her husband on the telephone and he said he was OK. That was the last time she heard from him, she said.

The next day, Lucas' wallet and Hawai'i state identification card were found nearby, at the intersection of Auloa and Maunawili roads.

"I'm hoping someone knows where he is," said Elke Lucas. They have been married for 1 1/2 years and have no children. "I want him to come home. At this point, I'm afraid something happened to him."

Police investigator Phil Camero said Lucas may have been suffering from depression.

There has not been any activity on Lucas' bank accounts and a helicopter search of the crash scene found nothing.

"There is no evidence of foul play at this time," Camero said. "We are concerned because no one has heard from him."

Lucas is 5 feet 10 inches tall, 150 pounds, and has brown hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a green-brown aloha shirt and tan slacks.

Police ask any witnesses to call Camero at 529-3394, CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.