Big Isle drivers indicted in crashes that killed 3

By Kevin Dayton
Advertiser Big Island Bureau

HILO, Hawai'i — A Big Island grand jury has indicted two people for negligent homicide in connection with three traffic deaths in 2002 and 2003.

John Richard Davis, 37, was indicted for first-degree negligent homicide in connection with a traffic death on March 15, 2002 when the truck Davis was allegedly driving plunged off the side of Waipi'o Valley access road and fell down a 300- to 400-foot cliff to the beach below.

Curtis Kailiwai, 44, a passenger in Davis' truck, was pinned in the vehicle and died.

The following morning searchers found Davis hung up on a tree branch about 100 feet up the ledge from the beach. Rescuers rappelled down the side of the cliff and used a helicopter to retrieve the injured Davis from the tree.

The Dec. 22 indictment says Davis was operating the pickup in a negligent manner while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

In a separate case, Ana T. Dominguez was indicted for two counts of first-degree negligent homicide in connection with the deaths of Kurtistown residents Conchita Tenorio and Loreto Tenorio Jr. on Aug. 20, 2003.

According to the indictment, Dominguez was also allegedly driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash.