Military Police Officer Arrested In Connection With Critical Crash
Reported by: Olena Heu
Email: oheu@khon2.com
Last Update: 9/26 7:13 pm
A Schofield soldier is in critical condition tonight after the SUV he was riding in crashed into a utility pole, it happened early Saturday morning on Kamehameha Highway near Whitmore Avenue.
Fire crews spent half an hour removing the victim from the SUV, meanwhile police say the driver, who is a military police, officer fell asleep at the wheel…he was later arrested for DUI and negligent injury.
Saturday drivers caught an early morning glimpse of what can happen if you drink and drive.
“This morning at about 530am an SUV south bound on Kamehameha Highway veered off the roadway into a utility pole,” Lt. Darren Izumo said.
The silver SUV with North Carolina plates slammed into the pole. The passenger side was crushed…forcing Honolulu police to close a portion of the roadway contra-flowing traffic into one lane.
According to fire department officials crews worked for about thirty minutes to remove the passenger from the vehicle, witnesses say the passenger’s seat had been pushed to the rear of the car.
“There were two occupants in there, the passenger was taken to Wahiawa General hospital in critical condition,” Lt. Izumo said.
The passenger was later taken to The Queens Medical Center for treatment…with life threatening injuries.
According to police he is a 24 year-old Schofield soldier.
“And the driver was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant,” Lt. Izumo said.
Police say the 26 year-old driver Joseph Florez-Gonzalez apparently fell asleep at the wheel when he crashed. He was arrested for driving under the influence of an intoxicant and negligent injury.
“We do have evidence that he was apparently still on the accelerator after the impact,” Lt. Izumo said.
According to police Florez-Gonzalez is a military police officer at Schofield Barracks. He lives off base in Pupukea and neighbors say he moved in just a few months ago.
Forez-Gonzalez remains at HPD’s main cellblock awaiting charges. Calls to Schofield Barracks for comment were not returned.
Source: http://www.khon2.com/news/local/story/Military-Police-Officer-Arrested-In-Connection/DxWFq1rQH0-ovhq2U_q7FA.cspx
The VICTIM in this crash is my friend. I just want you to know he JUST GOT BACK from his SECOND TOUR in Iraq. Please pray for him. He is a very good guy who is extremely responsible and have a hard time believing he would be with someone who wasn’t just as responsible…
friends and family here in Clayton/Garner, NC praying for recovery!
As the parent of Joseph I offer my deepest sympathy to the young man and family.My prayers are with all of you including my son whom I know was trying to do a good deed.God has great power so lets all pray for each other.Good Bless Us All.
Just thinking for all that are involved in the accident, my thoughts and prayers are with you, also i served with joe, and know what kind of person he is and im praying for him as well he is a good person, just made a very poor decision!
Wanda both Jeremy and Joseph are to blame for being on the road that night my brothers intentions were good but the decision was a bad one. Who is to say that if he had let Jeremy drive himself that night that the situation wouldn’t have ended in death. I thank God everyday that both of the boys survived this crash at all. I know it is easy to blame only one person when only one side of the story is being told and heard but isn’t the important thing that they are ok? I hope Jeremy and his family know that we think about them and pray for them everyday and its been difficult not being able to make contact with them. I hope Jeremy is doing better it would be nice to get an update on him if we can please.