StarBulletin.com

Police officer in 'right place'  nabs H-3 racers


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POSTED: Wednesday, June 02, 2010

A motorcycle police officer arrested two men for allegedly racing at speeds up to 90 mph Sunday morning in the eastbound lanes of the H-3 freeway in Windward Oahu.

The officer, who happened to be in the area, responded to a report of hazardous vehicles about 12:15 a.m. near the Kamehameha Highway onramp, police said.

The officer arrested Andrew O'Brien, 22, of Ewa Beach and Remington Transfiguracion, 18, of Waipahu for racing on the highway, a misdemeanor, and reckless driving, a petty misdemeanor. They were charged and released on $100 bail each and are scheduled to appear at 8:30 a.m. June 28 in Kaneohe District Court.

“;He was at the right place at the right time,”; said Sgt. Danton Nakama of Honolulu Police Department's Traffic Division. “;We are aware that this type of racing is going on, but we haven't gotten enough information on when and where.”;

Nakama said that when police receive calls from the public concerning a race, they get very few details, and police are unable to respond fast enough to stop the illegal racers. However, Nakama said he did not know the extent of highway racing on Oahu.

In this case, the police officer witnessed a pack of 30 to 40 vehicles traveling about 60 mph ahead of the two alleged racing cars, apparently to create an open area for the race. At that time, he saw the two suspect cars lagging behind the pack at 20 to 25 mph, police said.

One of the drivers had his arm stuck out the window and pointed two fingers toward the other car in what the officer surmised was a signal to begin the race, police said. The drivers revved their engines and allegedly accelerated to about 90 mph, police said.

The officer, who came from behind the drivers, clocked them traveling at about 90 mph, judging by his motorcycle's speedometer, police said.

Nakama was amazed the officer single-handedly arrested both drivers, since usually one or both would speed off.

But one officer alone could not stop the 30 to 40 drivers who participated, Nakama said, in what was essentially clearing the “;racetrack.”;