Friends of the man who died after escaping from police and falling off a bridge on the H-1 freeway were shocked to learn he was the victim, describing him as a loving father of his 3-year-old son, while his father said he had sought mental health help at a Waianae health center earlier that day.
"I’m very sad, shocked," said Paul Aio, the victim’s father, by phone from his Seattle home.
The Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office identified the man as Pernell Aio, 37, of Ewa Beach.
"He really was a gentle giant," said his friend and co-worker Chelsy, who gave only her first name. "He never did get upset about anything."
Police said Aio’s family brought him to the Kapolei police station Monday afternoon because they were worried about his safety and the safety of others.
Police were transporting him for a medical evaluation in the eastbound lanes of the H-1 freeway at about 4 p.m. Monday when he freed himself from a pair of handcuffs and kicked out a window. After the officer stopped the car, Aio escaped through the window and climbed over the Honouliuli Bridge, police said.
Two officers grabbed him and held him for a few seconds before he fell about 25 feet. He later died.
Police said officers did what they could to save Aio.
Paul Aio, who is a former Honolulu Police Department officer and retired deputy sheriff with the King County Sheriff’s Office in Washington, said: "I think they (police) could have done better."
He said he’s not sure of HPD policy, but that in his county, police do not transport patients but instead call an ambulance. The patient is strapped inside on a gurney.
He was surprised only one officer was transporting Aio. Police said the second officer was an off-duty officer who was in the area.
Friends said the actions of the man did not resemble their friend and co-worker at Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club. He was a valet parking attendant and bellman.
"It was very, very heartbreaking because that’s not him," Chelsy said. "That’s not him at all."
Another friend and co-worker, who only gave her first name, Irie, said Aio helped others through their daily stresses.
"He’s always right there with a positive attitude," she said. "Always made sure everyone was OK."
She said Aio came to Hawaii from Washington state to be with his 3-year-old son and didn’t have much family in Hawaii.
"In working with him, we were his family," she said. "He’s a hardworking, good father."
She said she knew Aio had family problems, "was going through a lot," and wanted to see his son more.
She said it was "not like him" on Monday, adding that he barely drank and didn’t do drugs.
"I still don’t believe" what happened, she said.
Patrick Aio, 41, Aio’s brother, who lives in Washington state, said his brother grew up in Nanakuli and moved with his family to Kent, Wash., in 1986. He said Aio returned to Hawaii about two years ago.
Aio was a gifted athlete as a youth and an all-star quarterback at Kentridge High School in Washington, he said.
"He was naturally and freakishly strong," Patrick Aio said through social media, adding that his brother loved making others laugh.
He said Pernell Aio’s son is Ikaika Aio.
"He was like a brother," his friend Chelsy said. "He always made us laugh and he made sure everybody knew how much he loved his son."
