Big Isle officer fires shots at car that endangered 2
While Hawaii island police look for the driver of a Honda sedan that endangered two police officers in separate incidents on Friday, police officials are also reviewing the actions of one of the officers who fired three shots at the escaping vehicle.
According to police, a Puna patrol officer drove toward a suspicious car at the end of Mokuna Street in the Royal Hawaiian Estates subdivision around 1 p.m.. The car, described as a blue or teal Honda four-door sedan with black or gray side panels — drove directly toward the officer’s vehicle, swerving at the last moment before fleeing the area.
The car continued north into oncoming traffic on the southbound lane of Highway 11 in the Mountain View area, where it proceeded through an active road construction site and directly toward an officer who was directing traffic. The officer fired three shots, striking the car as it drove away toward Hilo.
The police department’s Area 1 Criminal Investigations Section is conducting a routine investigation into the shooting. The Office of Professional Standards is also conducting an administrative investigation.
Police are asking anyone with information about the location or the car or the identity of the driver to call the department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide CrimeStoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.