Alleged driver of car that crashed in Pearl City surrenders
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
The suspected driver of a stolen car involved in a fatal crash yesterday in Pearl City surrendered to police early today.
The passenger in the white Acura that crashed through a carport and into the pickup truck on Ho'omoana Street early yesterday died at Kapi'olani Medical Center at Pali Momi shortly after the crash. The driver fled the scene, but surrendered to police today.
The man, 25, who lives at a Pacific Palisades address, contacted police through a third party, who arranged for him to surrender at HPD's headquarters building.
The man was booked at 1:10 a.m. on suspicion of auto theft and fraudulent use of license plates and on two outstanding criminal warrants.
Police said today that the man admitted he was driving the stolen 1999 Acura but claimed the car was struck twice by another vehicle, causing it to skid sideways across Waimano Home Road and into the carport of a corner house at 895 Ho'omoana St. at 4 a.m.
Police said the Acura severed a traffic-light pole before plowing into the carport.
Francis Ching, who lives at 895 Ho'omoana St., said he was awakened by the sound of a car accelerating down Waimano Home Road from Pacific Palisades about five seconds before hearing it slam into his carport.
The medical examiner's office today identified the man killed in yesterday's crash as Kevin Urata, 38.
Urata was seated in the front passenger seat of the Acura, which was reported stolen in Mililani on March 2.
Supervising vehicular homicide Lt. Bennett Martin declined comment on whether the Acura had any damage consistent with being hit by another vehicle or if racing might be involved because of the on-going investigation.
Reach Rod Ohira at 535-8181 or rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.
