Police officer killed
on Maui; hit-and-run
driver arrested

By Gary Kubota
Star-Bulletin

WAILUKU -- A Maui police officer died this morning in a hit-and-run motor vehicle accident after he was run over while directing traffic this morning on Honoapiilani Highway north of Kaanapali.

Investigators said the officer was struck by a car that was struck from behind by a truck at 2:58 a.m. Both vehicles burst into flames after the collision and the car continued to burn with the officer trapped under it, Police Lt. Charles Hirata said.

The driver of the car escaped without injury, while the driver of the truck fled the scene, Hirata said.

The driver of the truck, a 26-year-old Lahaina resident, was later arrested by police. He is being held by police and had not been charged as of early this morning.

Police identified the officer as 38-year-old Gene Williams of Wailuku who has been on the force for four years.

"We're all very sad," said Police Chief Tom Phillips. "Our condolences go out to the family."

Hirata said police are not sure at this time whether drugs or alcohol might have been a contributing cause of the accident and that tests are being done.

Williams was directing traffic near Pukolii, because construction on the highway early this morning cut traffic to one lane. The car, which was headed north, had stopped in front of the officer when the truck hit it from behind, Hirata said.