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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, August 22, 2008

Man, 25, indicted in fatal Big Island crash

Advertiser Staff

HILO, Hawai'i — A 25-year-old Kona man has been indicted for manslaughter in connection with a crash on Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway earlier this year that killed one man and seriously injured two others.

A Kona grand jury has indicted Liko Jon Christian Asing on charges of manslaughter, first-degree negligent homicide, first-degree negligent injury, reckless driving and operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol in connection with the crash.

Asing was also indicted on charges of four counts of first-degree reckless endangerment of three other adults and a juvenile in the same crash for "employing widely dangerous means in a manner which recklessly placed another person in danger of death or serious injury," according to court records.

Police said Asing was driving south in a 2004 Toyota pickup truck on Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway shortly before 2 a.m. on April 5 when he overtook another vehicle at high speed, lost control, ran off the road and overturned.

Asing and two passengers who were riding in the bed of the pickup truck were ejected from the vehicle. Thomas Keliinohomoku, 19, died from injuries he suffered in the crash, and Jeremiah Kalalau was critically injured. Asing was also hospitalized in critical condition after the crash.

Police concluded after their investigation there was an altercation between the three men in the Toyota and four other people in a 2004 Ford pickup truck at a gas station in Kailua, Kona, shortly before the crash.

The Ford then traveled north on Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway, and the three men in the Toyota allegedly followed. Police said they believe the driver of the Toyota began chasing the Ford, and attempted to run it off the road.

The driver of the Ford turned around near Keahole Airport and started traveling back toward Kailua, Kona. The driver of the Toyota allegedly continued to chase the vehicle. The Toyota overtook the Ford, lost control, ran off the road and overturned near the 95-mile marker, police said.

The occupants of the Ford were not injured.

If convicted of the most serious charge of manslaughter, Asing could face up to 20 years in prison.