Freeway race leaves
a driver hospitalized

Police say they are still looking
for a car that fled the scene

A 20-year-old man was in critical condition yesterday following an accident that police said was caused by three cars racing on the H-1 freeway.

Police were looking for one of the cars, which fled the scene, they said.

Police said the cars were racing in the Waianae-bound lanes of the freeway just before the Alexander Street onramp at about 5:57 a.m.

Police said a black two-door Acura driven by the victim attempted to overtake a silver Acura driven by a 19-year-old man. The black car collided with the silver car, which then veered right and struck a freeway barrier.

Police said either the black Acura or the third car, described as a pinkish-maroon Lancer, struck the rear of a trolley.

The man driving the black Acura was taken to the Queen's Medical Center with head injuries, police said. His 20-year-old passenger was also taken to Queen's in stable condition. No other injuries were reported.

Police said the driver of the silver Acura was wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision. It is unclear whether alcohol was a factor, police said. Police did not say how fast the cars were going.

Anyone with information on the Lancer may call Sgt. Patty Heely with the Honolulu Police Department's vehicular homicide division at 529-3499.

In February, two cars police believe were racing collided with a flatbed on the H-1 freeway near Waipahu, killing four people.

Last October, two people were killed and three injured when two vehicles suspected of racing collided on Ala Moana in Kakaako.

In June, Gov. Linda Lingle signed into law Act 105, a bill aimed at deterring street racing. Under Act 105, drivers caught speeding at 90 mph or more could have their license revoked for up to five years.