Honolulu police chief pleads with drivers to slow down after ‘rough week’ on Oahu’s roads

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Slow down and move over.

That was the message Honolulu Police Chief Arthur “Joe” Logan had for drivers who come across first responders on the road.

The plea comes after an officer was critically injured overnight Sunday as he was assisting with traffic at a previous crash scene. The incident happened in the Harano Tunnel on the H-3 Freeway when a a 25-year-old man swerved to miss a stalled vehicle.

First responders said the 46-year-old officer was pinned between those two vehicles and sustained critical injuries to his legs. Friends have identified the officer as Felix Gasmen and have established a GoFundMe account to help with expenses.

At last check, his condition improved from critical to serious condition.

Under Hawaii’s “Move Over” law, drivers are required to move over a lane when they come across first responders at a crash scene.

“This past week has been a rough one for HPD and our community,” he said.

Logan previously said Gasmen who was injured has 15 years of service and is assigned to District 4.

The incident was the latest in a series of disturbing incidents on Oahu roadways.

Last Thursday, an officer was attacked by a man with a hammer during a traffic stop in Laie and was critically injured.

Logan said that officer has been released from the hospital and is currently recovering at home.

On Feb. 9, another officer was struck by a vehicle on Moanalua Freeway back on Feb. 9. Officials said he was in his police vehicle and was rear-ended; he was not seriously hurt. The 57-year-old female driver in that crash was arrested on suspicion of DUI.

Logan also mentioned the heartbreaking case of 16-year-old Sara Yara, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver while walking to school on Kapiolani Boulevard. That driver later turned himself in and has been released pending further investigation.

“Look out for each other,” Logan said.

FBI Honolulu Civilian Academy Alumni Association member Sheryl Ferido said the recent string of injuries are troubling. She hopes the public continues to show their support and aloha for Hawaii’s law enforcement officers.

The association recently spearheaded a Light Hawaii Blue Campaign.

”The Light Hawaii Blue campaign encourages people to buy blue light bulbs and install them on their porches or anywhere else visible on their homes,” Ferido said.

“The lights mean a lot to the officers and I have personally heard stories about how that encourages them to do the important work that they do.”

To learn more about the Light Hawaii Blue campaign, click here.

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