Suspect in fatal crash turns himself in

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

The suspected driver of a stolen car involved in a fatal crash Wednesday in Pearl City surrendered to police yesterday.

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. yesterday on suspicion of auto theft and fraudulent use of license plates and on two outstanding criminal warrants.

Police said 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. Wednesday.

Police said the Acura severed a traffic-light pole before plowing into the carport.

Francis Ching, who lives at the home, 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 yesterday identified the man killed in the crash as Kevin Urata, 38.

Urata was 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 ongoing investigation.

Reach Rod Ohira at 535-8181 or rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.