Jury trial set for alleged aerial banner pilot
A pilot accused of flying aerial banners over Oahu will face a jury trial.
Matthew Radeck works for Aerial Banners Inc., based in Florida. He was arrested in July under a city ordinance that bans aerial advertising.
Radeck’s attorney on Tuesday was granted a request for a jury trial, Hawaii News Now reported.
Radeck’s company says it didn’t need to follow city rules because it has a waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration.
Aerial Banners arranged to have signs flown several times over the summer until Honolulu police cited Radeck.
Radeck’s attorney says the arrest was unpleasant but not unexpected.
If convicted, Radeck could face a three-month sentence.
Radeck didn’t appear in court because he was allowed to leave the state and return to the mainland pending trial.
Associated Press
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Kauai driver sent to prison for hit-and-run
A 37-year-old Princeville motorist was sentenced Thursday to one year in jail for striking a pedestrian with a van and failing to stop to render aid, Kauai County officials said.
Circuit Judge Kathleen Watanabe also sentenced Jonathan Swift to five years’ probation for first-degree negligent injury and operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant.
On March 6, 2012, Swift was operating a van near the Hale Moi condominium when he sideswiped a pedestrian and failed to stop. Witnesses reported Swift was driving erratically. One of the witnesses followed Swift to his residence and persuaded him to return to the scene, according to a news release.
Police conducted a Breathalyzer test that showed his blood-alcohol level at 0.10, slightly above the 0.08 legal threshold.
The pedestrian, an Arizona woman, suffered a fractured clavicle, a fractured rib and a detached retina.
Hiker calls 911 and is assisted down from trail
A 26-year-old visitor from Wisconsin had to be carried by Maui fire rescue personnel Wednesday after she got into trouble during a hike in Iao Valley.
Wailuku firefighters found the woman a quarter-mile up the trail next to a stream after she called 911 at about 5:24 p.m. and reported suffering from cold and exhaustion.
Fire personnel escorted her down the trail, but ended up carrying her for the last 50 yards back to the road. The woman was treated, but was not taken to the hospital. She was released to her family.
Star-Advertiser staff
