Death of pedestrian, 76, leads to manslaughter indictment

By Ken Kobayashi
Advertiser Courts Reporter

A 31-year-old man accused of driving the car that struck and killed a 76-year-old Waikiki woman this year was indicted by an O'ahu grand jury yesterday on a manslaughter charge.

Andres Paredes was initially suspected of driving negligently, but city prosecutors said yesterday that he has admitted he had smoked crystal methamphetamine before he got into the car and fell asleep, but later chose not to pull over because he had guns and drugs in his car and feared police would find them.

The victim was Barbara "Bobby" Gallicchio, who was walking on the makai side of Diamond Head Road near the lighthouse shortly after 5 a.m. March 12 when she was struck from behind. She died at the scene.

Federal drug and firearm charges stemming from the fatal accident are pending.

According to the federal criminal complaint, Paredes was arrested when he brandished a knife and shouted, "Just shoot me!"

Police said that they found a 12-gauge shotgun in the 1990 Subaru he was driving and that he told them he was selling "dime bags" of crystal meth.

Police also said Paredes told them he was a chronic user of the drug, had smoked it the night before the fatal accident, and was carrying the shotgun for protection.

Bail was set at $100,000 yesterday.