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.

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.