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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, December 15, 2006

Stolen SUV crashes into 2 cars; 3 hurt

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

A BMW was hit by a stolen sport utility vehicle and forced into a utility pole near the Star Market in Mo'ili'ili. Three people were hurt and three vehicles damaged in the 5 p.m. crash on South Beretania Street.

REBECCA BREYER | The Honolulu Advertiser

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A juvenile allegedly stole a GMC Yukon sport utility vehicle during a burglary yesterday in Hawai'i Kai and ended up causing a late-afternoon traffic accident in Mo'ili'ili, closing a busy section of South Beretania Street for nearly two hours.

According to police, the driver of the Yukon, in an attempt to flee from police patrol cars that had been following the stolen vehicle for about 30 minutes, sped up at the intersection of University Avenue and South Beretania Street about 5 p.m. and hit a white BMW, forcing the car to strike a pole.

The Yukon flipped over after the initial collision and landed on a black Acura turning into the Star Market parking lot.

The three drivers suffered injuries. Auto theft, reckless endangering and reckless driving charges were pending against the juvenile.

Police Detective Alex Garcia said the Yukon was speeding at 90 to 100 mph on Kalaniana'ole Highway toward the university area. The Yukon was being driven recklessly on side roads before the driver attempted to bolt from police and lost control of the vehicle, Garcia said.

"We're very fortunate that someone was not seriously injured or killed," Garcia said.

The driver of the stolen car and an 18-year-old man from one of the other cars were taken to The Queen's Medical Center. Both were in serious but stable condition, said Emergency Services spokesman Bryan Cheplic.

The crash also affected a Christmas parade scheduled for yesterday evening in the Mo'ili'ili area.

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.