Investigation into deadly car fire near Harano Tunnel ongoing

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Those driving by the H3 Freeway Saturday morning recall seeing heavy smoke coming from the Harano Tunnel following a deadly car fire.

“The fire started in this tunnel and then they kept driving and it made it almost towards the smaller tunnel. The front part of the car was in flames, but the car was still driving,” stated owner of Marissa HB Photography, Marissa Hookano-Briel, a witness.

The Honolulu Fire Department said the entire vehicle was engulfed. According to police, the driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Hookano-Briel was driving westbound on the H3 when she saw the car fire on the opposite side of the freeway.

“The driver’s seat, that was literally like orange. It was in flames. I didn’t see anyone in it,” said Hookano-Briel.

Mechanic and owner of Repairs Done Right, Bill Parrish, said car fires seem to be happening more frequently to both old and newer vehicles.

“Normally, it’s the fuel that causes the car fire. The high-pressure pump can separate and spray fuel everywhere. It’ll catch on fire before you even know it,” stated Parrish. “You have seconds to get out. Run away, because if it’s bad enough that can actually cause the car to explode.”

Parrish has experience helping law enforcement examine car fires such as the incident back in June 2019 when a family vacationing in Hawaii suffered serious injuries after their 2019 Kia Soul rental caught fire.

“Investigators brought the car here for me to help them during our investigation. I would take off a piece and everybody would come take pictures and take notes,” said Parrish.

If you see the warning signs of a potential fuel leak, don’t ignore them.

“They smell the fuel. ‘Oh, I’ll take care of it later. I’ll take care of it later.’ Then sometime later is too late,” said Parrish. “When they’re driving if it’s a leak in the back, they notice it when they park because fuel is dripping.”

An investigation into the car fire is still ongoing, per law enforcement.