Driver plows through runners at Maui Marathon

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The screams are chilling. The scene is chaotic. And the video is almost slow-motion.

During the start of the Maui Marathon early Sunday morning, police say 22-year-old Pajimola-Aiu drove into the starting line of runners, dragging one 53-year-old participant about 30 feet.

It all happened around 5 a.m. local time as the runners were getting set for their 26.2-mile run. Video of the incident — which shows everything unfold in almost slow-motion — shows Pajimola-Aiu take a right turn toward the runners. That’s when people try to stop him, but he continues on, veering to the right and then plowing through the athletes. Sounds of people screaming and the driver either hitting runners or people smacking the car can be heard.

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“Some joker came up from the hill … with a cone under his car, came to the intersection where we were about to have the start of the race, turned right into the lie of runners, and tried to skirt around the side of them, went through a barricade, and made it about 20 feet before all the runners surrounded his car and yanked him out of the car and the police showed up,” Greg Isabelle told HawaiiOnTV.com.

KHOU-TV reported Pajimola-Aiu was arrested at the scene and charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant and also had an outstanding bench warrant. His bail was set at $1,200.

The 53-year-old victim sustained minor injuries.

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