Driver held in crash
that injured police officer

Police say alcohol was a factor
in the Kalanianaole accident

CORRECTION Saturday, September 18, 2004 » Honolulu police officer Kevin Bailey, critically injured in a collision with a motorist who is suspected of driving drunk, is 39 years old. A story on Page A1 in Thursday's final edition said he is 40. The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at corrections@starbulletin.com.

Police arrested a 22-year-old man for drunken driving after his car collided with a Honolulu police officer's vehicle, sending the officer to the hospital in critical condition early yesterday morning.

Officer Kevin Bailey, 39, a 12-year veteran, was responding to a call while driving townbound on Kalanianaole Highway, just across from Wailupe Beach Park near Aina Haina, at 12:08 a.m. Police said a Honda driven by the suspect made a left turn onto Kaai Street in front of him

Bailey's Ford Explorer sport utility vehicle hit the car and crashed into a concrete wall, police said. The SUV then rolled over and landed on its side, pinning the officer inside the vehicle, police said.

Firefighters were called to free the officer, who was wearing his seat belt, police said. He was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition with head and internal injuries.

As of 5 p.m. yesterday, police officials said Bailey's condition was still critical, but had stabilized.

The Honda's driver, a resident of Kaai Street, was not injured. Police arrested him and said alcohol was a factor in the crash. As of last night, police said the results from the driver's blood alcohol test were not available.

Capt. Marie McCauley of East Oahu District 7 said the officer was responding to a possible drunken driver reported by an off-duty officer. The injured officer was on "line patrol," looking for drunken drivers, McCauley said.

Police would not say whether the injured officer had his dome light and siren on.

McCauley said the suspect arrested in the accident was not involved in the case reported by the other officer.

"He's an outstanding officer," McCauley said. "He's a great father," with a wife and three children, ages 14, 6 and 2.

On Aug. 16, officer Issac Veal, responding to a call, was killed in an accident in which his SUV rolled over several times on the H-2 freeway.

A national consumer advocacy group criticized the use of SUVs as pursuit vehicles because of their high rollover rates at high speeds or in quick maneuvers at any speed.

After Veal's death, HPD officials said they would take a look at officers' use of SUVs as subsidized vehicles. However, police union officials said while both instances were tragic, they do not mean SUVs are a problem.

"SUVs have nothing to do with it," said Detective Alex Garcia, Oahu Chapter chairman for the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers. "This guy turned right in front of him.

"Whether you're in a Crown Victoria or a Hummer, there's not much you can do," he said. "Hopefully he (Bailey) will be all right ... we're just hoping for the best."