Man charged with assaulting officer

A 43-year-old homeless man who allegedly endangered the lives of five Honolulu police officers by ramming his truck against two police cars early Saturday has been charged with first-degree assault on a law enforcement officer, police said.

Jessie Aquino also was charged with first-degree terrorist threatening, 27 counts of possessing personal confidential information, promoting a dangerous drug and possession of drug paraphernalia. He has 39 prior arrests and five felony convictions, police said.

Just before 2 a.m. Saturday, officers responded to a tip that a person with an outstanding warrant was in a truck parked outside the Waimalu Plaza Shopping Center.

When officers woke the man, he climbed into the driver’s seat and started the engine, police said.

As the driver tried to flee, he rammed police cars parked to the front and back of the truck, endangering the lives of five officers, said homicide Detective Bill Kato.

Paramedics took the driver in serious condition to a hospital.

Police searched the truck and arrested a 28-year-old female passenger, Justina Mattos, who is also homeless. Mattos also was charged with promoting a dangerous drug, possessing drug paraphernalia and 27 counts of possessing personal confidential information, police said.

Bail for both Aquino and Mattos was set at $500,000.

Suspect arrested in Salt Lake stabbing

Honolulu police arrested a 45-year-old man after an argument in Salt Lake led to a stabbing that left a 48-year-old man in critical condition Saturday, police said.

William A. Cureton of an Ala Moana Boulevard address was arrested Saturday for investigation of second-degree attempted murder, police said.

The two men were arguing on Ala Lilikoi Street at about 4:40 p.m. when the victim was stabbed multiple times, police said.

Kaukonahua Road crash injures biker

A motorcyclist was injured yesterday afternoon after he apparently lost control on Kaukonahua Road near Waialua.

According to Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. Robert Main, the man was separated from the motorcycle, which then collided with an oncoming pickup truck and burst into flames.

The motorcyclist was taken in stable condition to an area hospital, said Emergency Medical Services spokesman Bryan Cheplic. The driver of the truck suffered minor burns but refused treatment.

Crew puts out brush fire near Maili

Honolulu Fire Department personnel extinguished a brush fire that broke out yesterday near Helekula Way near Maili.

The fire was reported at 5:34 p.m. and extinguished at 6:44 p.m.

It has not yet been determined how many acres were affected. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Car crash in Kapaa kills driver

A 19-year-old Kilauea woman died yesterday morning when she lost control of her car on Kuhio Highway in Kapaa and crashed into a boulder on the side of the road, Kauai officials said.

A girl who was a passenger in the vehicle suffered minor injuries and was treated at Wilcox Hospital before she was released to her parents, officials said.

The driver died at the Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu.

She was traveling north on Kuhio Highway near the north end of Aleka Loop around 1:15 a.m. when she lost control, drove off the highway and crashed into a boulder on the makai side of the road.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.