Car careens through lights, hits wall

Hawaii Kai drivers were startled yesterday when a man drove a Mercedes-Benz sedan through two red lights and crashed into a rock wall on Lunalilo Home Road.

Witnesses said the man, appearing to be in his 50s, was driving makai when he swerved in and out of oncoming traffic, then clipped two vehicles that were stopped at a light. His car knocked over a crosswalk signal at Wailua Street before crashing into the wall, witnesses said. There were about 12 cars at the intersection at the time.

Bryan Cheplic, Honolulu Emergency Medical Department spokesman, said the man was taken to the hospital in serious condition.

Police said the accident occurred at about 1:30 p.m.

Dean Young, who was driving behind the man, noticed something was wrong when the man started swerving near the skatepark.

“;This guy was all over the road,”; he said. After the crash, Young approached the driver and saw he appeared to be suffering from a medical condition.

“;We had no response from him,”; he said. “;He was just staring out of his driver-side window.”;

Sherri Higa, who was riding with Young, said the man was driving about 35 mph.

“;The only thing that stopped him was the stone wall. He wasn't stopping, not for anyone,”; she said. “;I'm thinking it was a medical condition.”;

“;Everybody's just in shock,”; she said.

LEEWARD OAHU

Man is charged in choking of wife

An Iroquois Point man was charged yesterday with abuse of a family member after he allegedly choked his wife.

Bail for Taniela Lupeituu of 109th Street was set at $1,000.

Police said that at about 2 p.m. Friday, Lupeituu, 52, got into an argument with his 27-year-old wife, shoved her to the ground and choked her.

WINDWARD OAHU

Motorcyclist hurt critically in crash

A motorcyclist was in critical condition last night following a crash near the hairpin turn of the Kailua-bound lanes of the Pali Highway, police said.

Police closed the Kailua-bound lanes at Waokanaka Street in Nuuanu following the 8:20 p.m. crash.

HONOLULU

Wind damages roof of Nuuanu home

Wind tore off roofing material from a Nuuanu home yesterday, a Honolulu Fire Department official said.

At 6:04 p.m., one fire engine and a ladder truck responded to 122 Rosebank Place to provide a temporary patch for a 45-square foot section of the roof, said Capt. Robert Main.

Stolen car found during traffic stop

Police arrested a 20-year-old woman yesterday for allegedly driving a car that had been stolen in a burglary.

Police said a 26-year-old Honolulu man reported a burglary at his home on Feb. 6. Among other things, his car was taken, police said.

Police stopped the woman for a traffic violation Thursday night. She was arrested for investigation of auto theft, making an illegal left turn and driving without a license.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Burglary suspects subject of probe

Big Island police want help finding the suspect or suspects who burglarized two homes in North Hilo earlier this month.

Police said a house in Ninole on Highway 19 was broken into Feb. 4. A TV, a DVD/VCR player, two firearms and a jewelry box containing jewelry were stolen. A witness reported seeing a charcoal-gray Mazda pickup truck in the driveway the day before the burglary, police said.

On Feb. 6, someone broke into a storage room at the former Ookala hospital on old Mamalahoa Highway and took four weed whackers, four Dodge tires and rims, a torch set with tanks and a girl's red bicycle.

Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Amacias Valdez at 962-2120 or the police emergency line at 935-3311.