Man dies in crash
while fleeing police

The officer spotted
the Waianae man
speeding in Waipahu

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By B.J. Reyes
breyes@starbulletin.com

A 58-year-old Waianae man died after crashing his car while fleeing police through the Waipahu area early yesterday morning, authorities said.

The driver was heading west on Old Farrington Highway when he lost control, hit a berm and rolled over twice, Honolulu police Chief Lee Donohue said.

"He was ejected from the vehicle and expired at the scene," Donohue said.

Only one police cruiser, driven by a 20-year veteran of the HPD, was involved in the pursuit, Donohue said.

He did not name the officer.

The officer spotted the speeding, green 1979 Buick at 2:34 a.m. while patrolling near Waipahu High School.

The vehicle fled and the officer gave chase, eventually reaching speeds of more than 65 mph, Donohue said.

The chase lasted about three minutes.

"Right now, it appears all of our procedures were followed," Donohue said. "There are witnesses that corroborate what happened."

He added that the vehicle was not stolen and that blood-alcohol tests on the driver are being conducted.

Just before the chase, another vehicle was seen speeding on the H-1 freeway in the Makakilo area, police said.

Donohue said it was not known if that vehicle was the same car.