Driver still at-large a day after a Wahiawa crash left a woman in critical condition

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Police say a driver intentionally rammed into another vehicle in Wahiawa on Thanksgiving Eve, leaving a woman in her 30s with critical injuries before fleeing the scene.

The crash happened about 1 p.m. Wednesday on Whitmore Avenue and it has been classified as an attempted murder case.

On Thursday, the victim was still in critical condition at Queen’s Medical Center. The driver who fled the scene was still on the run.

Another driver injured in the crash, 29-year-old Gheil Ann Malinay, said the incident happened in an instant.

She said the white Mercedes was speeding on Whitmore Avenue and coming up behind a black Toyota Tacoma pickup truck driven by the woman in her 30s.

“It appeared to be trying to take over the black truck,” Malinay said.

“But instead, it hit the black truck from behind, which caused the black truck to go into my lane and caused the black truck to collide into me.”

The driver of the white Mercedes then fled the scene, police said.

Malinay said she closed her eyes right before impact.

“When I opened my eyes all I saw was airbags in front of me and I panicked because I couldn’t get out of my car,” she said. “I smelled smoke and I couldn’t get out of my car because the door wouldn’t open."

“Throughout the investigation, patrol officers were able to determine that there was more intent involved than originally expected. So this case is going to be investigated by the Criminal Investigation Division,” said Lt. James Slayter, with HPD’s Traffic Division.

Residents who live in Whitmore Village said the crash appeared to have stemmed from an argument up the road near Whitmore Market. Officers were seen asking for surveillance video at area businesses.

“From what I heard, they were in an altercation,” Malinay said.

She added, “Don’t take that altercation on to the road because innocent lives like me, or others, can get involved and that’s not fair.”

Malinay said she is grateful her injuries are relatively minor and that her children were not in the car with her.

"I'm just thankful to be alive and walking because from what I was told, the other person that was involved in this accident is possibly not going to make it."

Police are asking witnesses or anyone who has information on the suspect to call 911.

This story will be updated.

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