Case dropped against officer involved in fatal accident

Question: Whatever happened to the police officer who drove the patrol car that struck and killed a homeless man in a wheelchair in Kalaeloa on Sept. 5?

Answer: After an investigation was completed in December, no charges were filed against the officer.

City Deputy Prosecutor Attorney Mark Yuen said upon “a careful review of all of the reports and evidence in this case, which included statements from independent witnesses and an accident re-creation conducted by the Honolulu Police Department, our office declined prosecution as we were unable to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the police officer operated his vehicle in a negligent manner or in a manner that was simple negligence during the incident.”

Thomas Davis, a 44-year-old homeless man, was struck by an on-duty police officer who was transporting two 17-year-old boys in a marked police car.

The 34-year-old officer, who has three years of service with the department and was assigned to the Kapolei station, was never identified.

He faced a third-degree negligent homicide charge — a misdemeanor. The accident occurred at 8:23 p.m. on Enterprise Street near Wright Street in an area with no streetlights. The victim was not in a crosswalk.

Police said Davis was known by the businesses workers and residents in the area.

Davis was on the roadway the night of the accident. He was taken in critical condition to a hospital, where he died.

Excessive speed and alcohol were not factors.

There is no paved sidewalk in the area.

This update was written by Gregg K. Kakesako. Suggest a topic for “Whatever Happened To …” by writing Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 7-210, Honolulu 96813; call 529-4747; or email cityeditors@staradvertiser.com.