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A Honolulu Police Department lieutenant arrested for driving under the influence of an intoxicant in March will go on trial Jan. 13.
Lt. Colin Wong, a 27-year HPD veteran, was arrested on March 30 near the Modern Honolulu hotel after he allegedly hit a parked car. He was reportedly off-duty at the time. Wong was arrested for driving under the influence of an intoxicant and refusing to submit to a Breathalyzer and blood-alcohol test.
After several delays, Wong’s trial had been slated for September. However, a Honolulu District Court judge dismissed the case without prejudice because the arresting police officer, David Yomes, was unavailable to testify due to a planned vacation, and because the 180-day time limit for a speedy trial would have lapsed. Under state law, the trial has to be held within six months of an arrest or indictment.
City prosecutors quickly refiled charges, and Wong entered a plea of not guilty at his new arraignment Friday.
Both offenses are petty misdemeanors. Wong, a member of HPD’s SWAT team, faces a yearlong revocation of his driver’s license, up to 30 days in jail and a maximum $1,000 fine.
He remains on restricted duty.