Posted 11:05 a.m., Wednesday, May 02, 2001

Suspect in fatal crash with officer released

• Driver robs force of 'another hero'

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

The 22-year-old Waikane man accused of hitting and killing a police officer in a hit-and-run Monday night in Windward O'ahu was released yesterday pending further investigation.

Police arrested him on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, negligent homicide and failure to give information and render aid. Before he was released, police also arrested the man on suspicion of having an open liquor container in a motor vehicle. He has not been charged.

Police must release suspects after 48 hours, and they say fatal traffic investigations normally take more time.

Police veteran Danny Padayao was killed, and his beat partner Frederick Apo was injured in the accident.