Posted on: Thursday, August 19, 2004

Officer killed in crash wasn't wearing seat belt

By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

A police officer killed in a one-vehicle wreck on the H-2 Freeway Monday apparently was not wearing a seat belt, police said.

Officer Issac Veal, a father of four and grandfather of three, was traveling with his blue lights flashing when he lost control of his 2000 Dodge Durango, hit a concrete wall and was thrown out of the SUV. He was heading toward Mililani to help break up a reported brawl.

"The investigation thus far suggests Officer Veal was not wearing his seat belt," Michelle Yu, police department spokeswoman, said yesterday.

The medical examiner said Veal died of head injuries.

Traffic investigators have said speed was a factor in the crash. Acting Chief Glen Kajiyama has said Veal's blue lights were flashing, but police have not released information about the speed at which Veal was traveling or whether he was using his siren.

Veal was dispatched to the fight, Yu said. Police said officers arriving at the address did not find the 10 to 15 people reported to have been fighting.

Veal, who owned the Durango he was driving, was a 25-year veteran of the police force and was considering retiring at the end of the year. He was assigned to the Wahiawa district.

He was killed at about 9:20 p.m. Monday.

Veal was born Dec. 9, 1945, in Lecompte, La. Family members called him Sunny, according to Borthwick Mortuary.

He is survived by his wife, Donna; daughters Jaciflynn Pina and Denise Veal; sons Shanklyn Russell and Jeffrey Veal; mother Agnes Mayo; brothers, sisters and three grandchildren.

Visitation will be 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, with services at 7 p.m. at Borthwick Mortuary. Burial will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery. The family requests casual attire.

Reach Karen Blakeman at 535-2430 or kblakeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.