Driver is arrested in death of passenger
A Waimalu man was arrested Thursday night on suspicion of negligent homicide in connection with the death of a passenger when his Geo Metro crashed head-on with a sport utility vehicle near Sand Island three months ago.
The 38-year-old man, of a Kanuku Place address, surrendered at police headquarters about 8:40 p.m., police said.
Police say they believe the driver was intoxicated during the early morning hours of March 18 when his Metro made a U-turn at Sand Island Access Road, drove into oncoming traffic into the Ewa-bound lanes of Nimitz Highway, and struck a Toyota 4Runner. Ewa Beach resident Billy Thomas, 28, was killed. The 4Runner’s male driver, 49, and female passenger, 40, were hospitalized in serious condition.
The suspect was also hospitalized for a time after the crash, police said.
Besides negligent homicide, the suspect was arrested on suspicion of two counts of first-degree negligent injury and driving while intoxicated.
He was released pending investigation.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Information sought on theft of iron siding
Hawaii County police are investigating the theft of 400 sheets of iron siding/roofing material in South Kohala valued at more than $50,000.
Police said Friday the items were taken sometime after Monday from the Kawaihae Industrial Area.
The material is described as 24-gauge iron siding/roofing sheets measuring 24 feet by 4 feet. Some sheets are blue and others are white.
Anyone who has information about the stolen material is asked to call police at 935-3311.
Anonymous calls may be made to CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 or 329-8181.
Simulator trains emergency vehicle drivers
The Kauai Fire Department unveiled its new driver simulator Friday at the Lihue Fire Station.
The driver simulator, housed in a 30-foot trailer, uses virtual simulation technology to train fire truck or other drivers in an environment that resembles real-life scenarios, according to a Kauai County news release. A large three-panel screen that surrounds a bucket seat, steering wheel, brake and accelerator gives the driver the sense that he or she is operating a vehicle in almost any condition.
"It’s incredible how real it feels," said Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. as he simulated driving a fire truck down a busy street. "Most importantly, it gives our crews the tools they need to learn how to operate their vehicles safely in a controlled environment."
Kauai Fire Chief Robert Westerman said: "Representatives from the Kaua‘i Bus were here this week and used the equipment to simulate driving a bus."
