Motorist killed by police died of gunshot wounds

The Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office said the 52-year-old Manoa driver fatally shot by police Wednesday died from multiple gunshot wounds to the chest.

Deputy Medical Examiner Masa­hiko Koba­ya­shi ruled the manner of death was homicide.

Driver Richard Nelson’s blood alcohol level was 0.206, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 for driving in Hawaii, Koba­ya­shi also found.

Police opened a murder investigation against Nelson the night of his death for allegedly nearly hitting the officer with his car Wednesday night on Kuhio Avenue in Wai­kiki.

The officer, responding to a report of a car rear-ending a bus stopped on Kuhio Avenue, went up to Nelson’s blue Volks­wa­gen Jetta shortly after 8 p.m.

He spotted an open alcoholic beverage container in the car and reached in to grab the container, and that’s when the car began to move, said Maj. Lester Hite, Criminal Investigation Division commander.

However, Deputy Chief Dave Kaji­hiro said the officer was reaching into the car to take it out of gear to stop it from moving.

Nelson failed to comply with orders by the officer, took a drink in front of the officer and drove off, police said.

The officer, who was on foot, chased Nelson and fired five rounds through Nelson’s open driver’s-side window after he tried to run over the officer, police said.

After the fatal shots were fired, the Jetta — its driver likely unconscious — continued traveling at a high rate of speed and struck a tree so hard its engine block fell off.

Video footage shows the officer in close range to the car just before firing the shots.

Police said the officer fired his gun to stop the threat against himself and pedestrians.

The six-year veteran officer was placed on administrative leave, and an internal investigation was begun.

Nelson had a pending drunken-driving case filed Oct. 7, but the proceedings were suspended while he completed a mental evaluation for fitness and penal responsibility. A hearing was set for Aug. 28.