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BRUCE ASATO / BASATO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Personnel from the Bishop Museum watched yesterday as a tow truck removed a late-model Nissan Murano SUV that crashed through a chain-link gate along Kapalama Street and came to rest on a concrete freeway barrier on the museum grounds. Two occupants of the vehicle were taken to an area hospital.
SUV crash at museum injures pair
A 67-year-old Aiea woman and a 4-year-old boy were critically injured yesterday after a speeding vehicle crashed into a freeway retaining wall off Kapalama Avenue.
The sport utility vehicle was reportedly speeding and passing other cars on Kapalama Avenue when it missed a bend in the road and went through a fence on Bishop Museum’s property, police said. The vehicle continued across a vacant lot before launching over a ditch and crashing into a concrete wall along the H-1 freeway at 2:45 p.m., police said.
Firefighters used webbing to anchor the vehicle and cut the woman out with a hydraulic tool, removing her by 3:25 p.m., Honolulu fire Capt. Terry Seelig said.
The boy was reported in critical condition at a hospital, said Bryan Cheplic, spokesman for the city Emergency Services Department.
The woman was taken to the Queen’s Medical Center in critical condition, police said.
Honolulu police were investigating the crash.
4 charged in theft and conspiracy
An Oahu grand jury has indicted four people in connection with a crime ring that apparently included money laundering, theft and running a business with proceeds from an illegal activity.
Police arrested 26-year-old brothers Thang and Toan Nguyen yesterday morning. Thang Nguyen was arrested with Tiffany Nakata, 24, at her Bachelot Street home, and Toan Nguyen was arrested with Frances-Nicolette Freitas, 25, at Marin Tower, where Freitas lives with the brothers.
The four were arrested in connection with theft, money laundering, tampering with government records, operating an illegal business and criminal conspiracy. Three were charged with criminal conspiracy, while Freitas was charged with first-degree theft. All were held yesterday in lieu of $250,000 bail.
Thang Nguyen is the listed agent of Twins Auto Body, which was located on Pupuole Street in Waipahu. State business records show the auto repair shop’s business registration was terminated in June.
Police announced in January 2009 that a tip led to the recovery of about $250,000 worth of suspected stolen motorcycles at the repair shop. Police showed off 32 motorcycles with defaced serial numbers and bogus serial numbers stamped on. Firearms were also found at the business, police said.
