Oahu grand jury indicts Nanakuli woman in gas station attack
An Oahu grand jury has indicted a 21-year-old woman who allegedly yelled a racial slur at a 28-year-old woman before driving her car into the victim and her boyfriend at a gas station in Nanakuli.
Paresse K. Lai of Nanakuli was indicted Thursday on two counts of first-degree terroristic threatening and one count of accidents involving substantial injury in connection with the attack. A 73-year-old woman who was exiting her car as Lai attempted to flee also suffered injuries, according to court documents.
Lai’s arraignment has yet to be scheduled. A District Court judge confirmed her bail at $25,000.
Police said Lai and her passenger yelled and cursed at the 28-year-old African-American woman at Hele gas station Sunday afternoon. Police said Lai also yelled a derogatory term at the woman and told her “you don’t belong on this island” before she drove her sedan into the victim and her boyfriend, according to a court document.
The 28-year-old woman suffered pain to her chest and stomach. The car also struck her boyfriend’s leg.
As Lai attempted to leave the scene, police said she reversed her car into a parked vehicle. A 73-year-old woman was stepping out of the vehicle at the time. The impact pushed the elderly woman’s vehicle several feet, pinning her legs between the curb and her vehicle.
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Police said Lai fled the scene. About two hours after the attack, she turned herself in at the Waianae police station.
The 28-year-old woman and 73-year-old woman were taken to Pali Momi Medical Center where they were treated for their injuries and released.