Suspect in fatal crash turns self in

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

A 21-year-old man indicted on manslaughter charges in a fatal 2001 traffic collision has turned himself in and posted $100,000 bail.

Nicholas Tudisco was released Monday after being booked on the manslaughter charges by state sheriff's deputies at District Court. An O'ahu grand jury indicted him last week.

City prosecutors have said that Tudisco was racing at more than 100 mph on the H-1 at the time of the Aug. 26, 2001, accident.

City deputy prosecutor Sharlene Tom told a state judge last week that Tudisco admitted to police investigators at the scene that he was racing another car before his 1999 Honda Prelude struck a 1994 Ford Aerostar van in which Holy Trinity School teacher Elizabeth Kekoa was riding. Kekoa was killed.

Tudisco will be arraigned tomorrow before Circuit Judge Richard Perkins. His attorney, Michael Green, said he intends to ask that the conditions of bail be modified so that Tudisco can return to college on the Mainland.

Tudisco is a junior at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. Larry Lee, the school's baseball coach, confirmed that the junior-college transfer, a reserve outfielder, has been suspended indefinitely from playing.

According to prosecutors, Tudisco was driving at more than 100 mph when he lost control of his car, struck the center barrier and crashed into the van, which was driven by Kekoa's husband, Wally.

Tudisco and his parents, Michael and Cynthia Tudisco, are named in a civil suit filed in March 2002 on behalf of Kekoa's husband by attorney Wayne Kekina.

Tudisco's parents are included in the suit because the car was registered to them, they knew it had been modified to go faster, and they were aware of their son's convictions for speeding in 1999 and 2000, said Kekina.

Reach Rod Ohira at 535-8181 or rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.