Attempted Murder Investigation Launched into Fatal Traffic Accident
On Saturday, October 29, 2016 at about 3:30 p.m., police officers responded to a suspicious vehicle call at a residence on East Waikō Road in Waikapū.
Upon arrival, officers found a male, later identified as 29-year old Joshua Apo, asleep behind the wheel of a silver Nissan sedan parked in front of the residence.
Police say officers approached the vehicle and woke up Apo, who allegedly looked at officers, then reversed his vehicle into a marked police vehicle that was parked behind it before speeding away on East Waikō Road. The police vehicle was unoccupied at the time; however, police say Apo allegedly nearly ran over two officers who were standing next to his vehicle and had to jump out of the way.
According to police reports, Apo turned onto Honoapiʻilani Highway and drove at a high rate of speed. Officers got into their vehicles and activated their emergency lights and sirens in an attempt to catch up with Apo. Officers were following Apo when they observed him turn onto Kūihelani Highway and enter the opposing south-bound lanes, according to department reports. Officers continued to follow him from the north-bound lanes of the highway.
According to police reports, Apo continued to travel north at a high rate of speed within the south-bound lanes when he collided head-on into a black Scion that was traveling south on the highway. A blue Hyundai that was also traveling in the south-bound lanes collided into the Scion.
Apo and the lone female operator of the Scion were transported to the Maui Memorial Medical Center emergency room where they later died from their injuries. The two occupants of the Hyundai were also transported to the emergency room and treated for minor injuries.
No officers were injured; however, an Attempted Murder in the First Degree investigation was initiated. The investigation is in its early stages and is on-going.