Deadly incident raises concerns over racing on Oahu

The recent shooting death of a 19-year-old man on Kalihi Street following an alleged impromptu freeway race is a deadly reminder that citations and arrests for street racing and speeding rose rapidly last year, leading police and prosecutors to focus on strategies and tactics to address bad behavior on Oahu’s roads.

Triston O. Billimon, 19, was shot in the chest on June 19 while his wife sat in the passenger seat and died later that day. He allegedly had been racing with 37-year-old Eddieson A. Reyes on the H1 Freeway before the Middle Street tunnel.

A witness told police that Billimon was traveling in the eastbound lanes of the freeway when he saw two cars — a white Acura and silver BMW — racing. The two vehicles took the Likelike off-ramp and suddenly stopped on Kalihi Street. Reyes allegedly was driving the Acura, stepped out of the vehicle, ran to the driver’s side of Billimon’s BMW and fired a shot through the window before getting back in his car and driving off.

Reyes, a convicted felon, is being held at the Oahu Community Correctional Center in lieu of $1 million bail on charges of second-degree murder, two firearm offenses and one count of first degree terroristic threatening. Police said the men did not know each other before they got into it on the freeway.

The deadly racing incident is one of many speeding and traffic concerns that have forced patrol officers and the Honolulu Police Department’s Traffic Division to engage in targeted enforcement and other measures. Solo bike officers and night traffic officers focus on different areas across the island every day. Multiple factors — such as collision statistics, officer observations and public complaints — are used to decide where to conduct speed enforcement.

Pandemic speeding

During the COVID-19 pandemic that shuttered Oahu’s economy, the number of arrests for excessive speeding more than doubled from January to May 31, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019.

There were 253 speeding arrests in 2019 during that period and 591 last year. As of May 31, there have been 496 speeding arrests this year. Racing arrests jumped from 36 in 2019, to 69 last year, and there have been 66 through May 31 of this year.

“The Honolulu Police Department would like to remind everyone that driving at excessive speeds will increase your chances of losing control of your vehicle and crashing. It will also decrease your chances of survival if you are in a crash,” acting Capt. James Slayter of the Traffic Division told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser in a statement. “In the last five years, there were more than 400 motor vehicle collisions on Oahu that resulted in fatal or critical injuries. Twenty-six people have been killed in traffic collisions so far this year, and speed was a contributing factor in more than one-third of the collisions. Tragedies like these are avoidable, so please slow down and remind your family and friends that there is no need to speed!”

On June 18 and 19, officers with the the Traffic Division, District 3 (Pearl City/Aiea), and District 5 (Kalihi) conducted enforcement along the H-3 Freeway following community concerns about speeding, police said.

Fourteen drivers were arrested for excessive speeding, racing, reckless driving, operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, or driving without a license. Officers also cited 95 drivers for excessive speeding and other violations, according to police.

Prosecuting Attorney Steven S. Alm said his department takes speeding, street racing, drifting and other reckless acts of driving seriously.

“Speeding leads to accidents and is a leading cause of traffic fatalities. These activities endanger everyone in our community and should not be tolerated. As Honolulu opens up and more and more people drive on our roads, we will be on the lookout for an increase in these offenses. We will continue to work closely with HPD to investigate and prosecute these offenders,” Alm told the Star Advertiser.

Honolulu interim police Chief Rade K. Vanic said speeding violations increased during the pandemic.

“With fewer cars on the road, drivers were more inclined to exceed the speed limit,” Vanic told the Star-Advertiser.

A place to race

Racing aficionados have looked for a home on Oahu to legally engage in their sport for at least 15 years.

Michael Kitchens founded Build the Track Inc. in 2018 and began attracting investors to the Circuit Hawaii project, a motor sports complex planned for a privately owned parcel of land in Campbell Industrial Park. The Facility will be a Federation Internationale de l’Automobile A3 grade track, capable of hosting international racing events and other high-end competitions. A facility of that caliber would have a regenerative and sustainable effect on the local economy, educational system and youth, Kitchens said.

Racing, speeding and crime in general increased during the pandemic due to lockdowns, frustrations and stress with few outlets, especially for car fans.

“All of these have contributing factors due to the stresses put upon us by the pandemic, the lockdowns, and the general feeling of lawlessness that has taken hold,” Kitchens said. “There have been several violent examples of forms of racing to include the aforementioned shooting as well as the reckless joyrider that was recently arrested after crashing into another vehicle. I think that there’s a distinction though between the two … less about actual racing and more about violent intentions with little care for the public. Anytime someone speeds, it’s easy to call it street racing. However, real street racing is usually a competitive contest of speed between two parties. Sometimes it’s impromptu and a macho spur of the moment decision, and sometimes it’s planned and organized. We have both types. I don’t think that should be confused with the violent mayhem that’s occurred lately.”

The “Build The Track!” movement started in 2004 and represents the longstanding goal to develop a motor sports facility after the closure of Hawaii Raceway Park in April 2006, according to Kitchens.

The three-word phrase became the mission statement for the former Oahu Motorsports Advisory Council, an advisory group combining the former leadership of Hawaii Raceway Park and chaired by Kitchens, who carried on the concept after the council dissolved.

“Street racing will always be a problem … however, providing an alternative can help to lessen the dangerous impact on our community,” he said. “Without a proper racetrack, there’s nowhere for enthusiasts, young and old, to enjoy their automotive passions. There’s no place for peer mentoring and guidance. Without a racetrack, we are missing on valuable opportunities for keeping our youth on track and productive. Having a racetrack like Circuit Hawaii will provide for safer, saner streets on Oahu. I just think people have been stressed out, pent-up and heavily impacted by the hugely detrimental effect of the pandemic. With all of their frustrations building, people are looking for ways to release that pent up energy … racing relieves that and that’s why we need a racetrack.”