Updated at 5:17 p.m., Monday, May 21, 2007
Man who smashed 13 cars in stolen van gets 26 years
Advertiser Staff
A 28-year-old man convicted of driving a stolen van into 13 cars causing a massive traffic jam on Kalaniana'ole Highway in December 2005 was sentenced today by Circuit Judge Steve Alm to 26 years in prison with a mandatory minimum of 6.8 years.The Hawai'i Paroling Authority will set the official minimum sentence to be served by Patrick Masaoka, 28, at a later date.
A jury acquitted Masaoka in March of trying to murder a police officer while speeding off in the van on Dec. 15, 2005, on 'Ainakoa Avenue. Had he been convicted of first-degree murder, Masaoka could have been sentenced to a mandatory life term without parole.
He was sentenced today of driving a stolen vehicle, 13 counts of first-degree criminal property damage, and possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
