Big Isle woman indicted in traffic deaths

By Kevin Dayton
Advertiser Big Island Bureau

HILO, Hawai'i — A Big Island grand jury has indicted a woman on two counts of first-degree negligent homicide in the traffic deaths of two people in North Hilo last year.

According to the indictment handed down Wednesday, Michelle M. Kurtz was allegedly under the influence of drugs or alcohol when she caused the deaths of Paul E. Porterfield and Debra Sue Porterfield in a car crash on Nov. 9, 2002.

Kurtz, who is also known as Michelle Betonio, could face up to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine on each charge if convicted.

Police said Paul Porterfield, 43, and his 42-year-old wife, Debra Sue, were killed while driving a Jeep on Hawai'i Belt Road. The couple were from Norco, Calif.

A witness reported that a 1982 Chevy pickup was traveling south, crossed the centerline and struck the Porterfield's Jeep heading in the opposite direction at around 3 p.m., police said.

After the crash, the Jeep skidded along the west bridge railing and then fell to the ground below, killing both occupants, police said.

The 36-year-old O'okala woman who was driving the pickup involved in the crash was treated at from the North Hawai'i Community Hospital.

Police said at the time they believed alcohol was a factor in the collision.

Reach Kevin Dayton at kdayton@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 935-3916.