Court papers: Victim hit twice with car, dragged half mile

The 35-year-old victim of last week’s attempted murder incident was struck by a car twice and dragged about half a mile because he was pinned to the car’s undercarriage, according to court documents.

Miguel Torres, 48, is accused of driving into Henry Akuna, 35, and his girlfriend, Marlena Montez, 19, in the parking lot of the Waimaha Sunflower housing public housing complex on McArthur Street at 6:45 a.m. Feb. 17. 

According to a police affidavit filed in District Court, Akuna and Montez were walking in the parking lot when Torres drove toward the couple.

Akuna was struck in the legs by the front of the car and flipped up onto the vehicle’s hood, the police statement said.

Akuna rolled off the passenger side of the car and was pinned under the vehicle.

The driver, according to the police statement, accelerated. The suspect hit the concrete curbing driving through a dirt planter and onto Mill Street.

Montez, who identified the suspect as the driver, tried to move out of the way, but was struck on the left knee by the front end of the car, the affidavit said. 

Montez refused treated from paramedics and later went to the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center where she was treated and released.

Montez told police she chased the car down Mill street, yelling at the driver to stop.

A witness sitting in a car in the parking lot saw the couple being struck.

The witness told police that after Akuna and Montez were hit, the suspect reversed his car and went forward again striking Akuna a second time.

The witness said she followed the suspect’s car, honking her horn, yelling at the driver to stop, The witness said she could see Akuna’s shoes and body under the sedan.

When Torres made a wide right turn to avoid an on-coming car, he had to reverse, according to the witness’ statement, causing Akuna to become dislodged from the under carriage of the car.

Akuna was taken to Queen’s Medical Center where he was treated for a "mangled" left arm, facial fractures, and multiple abrasions, according to the affidavit.

Another witness also identified Torres as the driver.

The suspect fled and was captured Wednesday morning in Kalihi.

Torres, who told police he has no local address, is charged with one count of first-degree attempted murder and two counts of second-degree attempted murder. He remains in custody unable to post bail of  $200,000.

His preliminary hearing is scheduled in District Court Tuesday.

Torres has been convicted of 10 misdemeanors and petty misdemeanors, ranging from abuse to theft and drunken driving, starting from 1988.