Posted on: Friday, July 26, 2002
Driver pleads guilty to killing policeman
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
A 23-year-old man pleaded guilty yesterday to driving a pickup truck that struck and killed a Honolulu police officer in April 2001.
Michael Coulter, a former construction worker, pleaded guilty to one count each of first-degree negligent homicide and leaving the scene of an accident in which a person was killed or seriously injured. Coulter faces a maximum 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine when he is sentenced Sept. 30 by Circuit Judge Dan Kochi.
Under a plea agreement, the city prosecutor agreed not to seek consecutive prison terms or extended sentences for Coulter. Kochi gave Coulter until 4 p.m. today to come up with the $10,000 bail or be taken into custody.
On April 30 last year, officer Dannygriggs Padayao was setting up flares at a traffic accident at Kamehameha HIghway near Johnson Road in Windward O'ahu when he was hit by a Chevrolet pickup truck. Padayao, 46, was knocked into the path of another pickup and later died of his injuries.
The driver of the Chevy pickup fled the scene. Police caught up with Coulter later that night, but he denied his involvement in the accident.
Coulter told police that he was attacked by two men who stole his pickup truck on the day of the accident. But two witnesses identified Coulter as the driver of the pickup.
Coulter was arrested and released pending investigation. Yesterday, he took responsibility for his actions.
"On April 30 of 2001, I caused the death of Dannygriggs Padayao by operating a vehicle in a negligent manner while under the influence of alcohol and I fled the scene of the accident," Coulter told Kochi.
Neither Coulter nor his attorney, Richard Hoke, would comment after yesterday's court proceedings. Also declining to comment were Padayao's friends and family, which included his longtime girlfriend Donna Borengasser, who were in the courtroom.
City Prosecutor Peter Carlisle, who handled the case, asked that Coulter's bail be set at $100,000, but defense said the bail should be $10,000 so he can go to his Michigan home should he post bail.
Carlisle pointed to a DUI conviction and the fact that Coulter initially lied to police as evidence that Coulter is not a responsible person, but Hoke said Coulter was responsible enough to return from Michigan for yesterday's guilty plea. Kochi agreed with the defense.
