Witnesses to Waimanalo fatality sought

By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward OÎahu Writer

Police are launching a new search for additional witnesses in the head-on crash that killed Waimanalo resident Lorrie-Ann Wiley in the wake of revelations about a lack of evidence in the Jan. 2, 2001, case.

•	To give information about the accident, call the Traffic Division directly at 529-3499. To submit information and remain anonymous, call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.

"I believe there's somebody out there who saw something."

DeCaires, coordinator for CrimeStoppers, wants to talk to that witness.

About two weeks ago police presented what they thought was a straightforward case to the city prosecutor, who refused to take it to trial because no witnesses could place the alleged driver behind the wheel of the car.

Further, it was revealed that the car that struck Wiley's, which could have provided the physical evidence that prosecutors need, was never taken into custody by police and has been destroyed.

Wiley was driving to work at about 5:25 a.m. when her Honda Civic was struck by a Chrysler outside Olomana Golf Links in Waimanalo. She died at the scene.

The man presumed to be the other driver in the crash, whose blood alcohol later tested above the legal limit, was taken to Castle Medical Center in critical condition. He was released four days later. He has never been arrested or charged in the case.

DeCaires said a small group of people had stopped at the accident scene to offer assistance and to give statements to police. Several witnesses said the man was outside the car when they arrived, according to police.

Last week, the victim's husband, David Wiley, was told that the case was going to be dropped. But after he appealed to the city prosecutor's office, the case has been reopened.

Wiley is pleased that police are following through and said he will do whatever it takes to obtain justice.