Two motorists who authorities say were racing on Kalanianaole Highway in Waimanalo last year are facing manslaughter charges in state court for the death of an 11-year-old boy who was in another car hit by one of the suspects.
An Oahu grand jury returned an indictment Wednesday charging Herbert Kaio-Campbell and Travis Murray each with manslaughter and second-degree assault. A state judge issued $75,000 warrants for their arrests.
The two were racing July 25, 2010, and leapfrogging each other in no-passing zones when Kaio-Campbell slammed into a car making a left turn in front of him, said Vickie Kapp, deputy city prosecutor. She said Kaio-Campbell’s car was traveling 77 mph at the time of the impact.
The impact ejected Samuel Kassebeer, who was the back-seat passenger, and Eunice "Ming Toi" Goo, who was the front-seat passenger.
Relatives said the car was turning into the family driveway.
City paramedics pronounced Samuel dead at the scene. Relatives said he ended up two driveways away.
Goo, 43, Samuel’s aunt, said she suffered fractured ribs, a skull injury and scrapes all over her body.
Kapp said neither passenger was wearing a seat belt.
Relatives said the driver, Shayna Joseph, 40, Samuel’s aunt, suffered a broken collarbone and ribs in addition to punctured lungs.
Kaio-Campbell, who was 20 years old at the time, had a blood alcohol content of 0.10, Kapp said.
It is unlawful for anyone 21 or older to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher and unlawful for anyone under 21 to operate a vehicle with any amount of alcohol in his system.
Murray fled the scene, Kapp said.
Neither Kaio-Campbell nor Murray has a criminal record.
However, both had speeding convictions before the crash. Police cited Murray on Aug. 9, 2008, for operating a vehicle 14 mph over the speed limit and police stopped Kaio-Campbell Feb. 24, 2010, for operating a vehicle 21 mph over the speed limit. Kaio-Campbell also has a conviction for speeding on Jan. 5 this year.
Just two months before the crash, the Honolulu Fire Department awarded Kaio-Campbell its Civilian Medal of Valor, the highest honor the department can give a civilian, for rescuing a swimmer from rough surf at Makapuu Beach.
