Motorcycle police officer attemping to catch fleeing driver is injured in crash
Officer’s injuries considered serious, not life-threatening
A police solo bike officer suffered serious injuries that weren’t life-threatening in a crash that occurred while he was trying to catch up with a speeding sedan Wednesday afternoon on Maui Veterans Highway, police said.
Robert Freitas III, 37, of
Waiehu was identified as the driver of the black
2001 Honda sedan that was seen speeding and being driven recklessly while heading north on the highway at about 3:50 p.m., police said.
The solo bike officer tried to catch up and stop the Honda when the motorcycle hit a car that was abandoned on the makai shoulder of the highway, police said. The officer was ejected from his bike, police said.
The Honda fled, turning on to Central Maui Baseyard Road, where Freitas drove the car through a gate to flee from a second police officer, according to a declaration filed in court.
Police later found the Honda with no one inside on Pulehu Road in Puunene.
Freitas, who was the registered owner of the vehicle, was found hiding nearby by a police K9 dog.
Freitas was charged with two counts of first-degree resisting an order to stop a motor vehicle, reckless driving, driving without a license, third-degree criminal property damage and fourth-degree criminal property damage.
Freitas refused to leave the Maui Community Correctional Center for a hearing in Wailuku District Court on Thursday and again Friday. His bail was set at $27,000 on Friday.
Freitas also was arrested on warrants totaling $201,000.
The officer, an eight-year veteran of the Maui Police Department, was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center for treatment of his injuries, which were considered serious but not life-threatening, police said.