Posted on: Thursday, November 27, 2003

Family sues driver who died in La'ie accident

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

The family of a 24-year-old Punalu'u man who died in a traffic accident Aug. 16 has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver of the car, who also was killed.

Jason Idica was a passenger in a 2003 Subaru that veered off Kamehameha Highway near Adams Road in La'ie near Malaekahana State Park. Idica, an employee at Crouching Lion Inn Restaurant, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Wayne Huddy, Idica's brother, also was a passenger in the car and was critically injured.

Yesterday, Idica's mother, Diane Huddy, sister, Auriel Huddy, and Wayne Huddy filed a Circuit Court lawsuit against Micah McGee.

McGee, 19, was the driver of the car and died one day after the accident.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the Huddys by attorney Thomas Pico Jr.

Also named as defendants were 50 "Doe entities" that included family members and others who negligently entrusted a car to McGee or who "participated in serving or furnishing alcoholic beverages" to McGee, the lawsuit stated.

The lawsuit alleged that McGee was under the influence of alcohol when he drove at high speed and on the wrong side of the road. McGee lost control of the vehicle, which slammed into two poles and a concrete curb, the lawsuit said.

Idica experienced "great pain and suffering" before he died, the lawsuit said, and Wayne Huddy continues to suffer pain and emotional distress.

The Huddys are seeking an undetermined amount in damages and attorney's fees.