Posted at 6:05 p.m., Sunday, January 13, 2008
Kailua fatal DUI driver has suspended license
Advertiser Staff
A suspected drunken driver arrested for investigation of a fatal early morning collision in Kailua on Friday was operating a car with a suspended or revoked driver's license, according to police booking information.Thomas Copeland II, 37, who listed no permanent local address, was arrested at 5:55 a.m. Friday on Kailua Road and Ulumanu Drive on suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, and driving under the influence with a suspended and/or revoked license.
Police added first-degree negligent homicide to Copeland's offenses after pedestrian Paena Magarro, 69, died at Castle Medical Center, and tacked on fourth-degree promotion of harmful drugs following a search at booking.
Copeland was later released pending further investigation.
According to Hawai'i Criminal Justice Data Center records, Copeland has a November 2003 conviction for driving under the influence of an intoxicant, nine prior misdemeanor convictions for violating temporary restraining orders, one for violating a protective order, and one for abuse of a family member.
Magarro was not in a crosswalk when struck by a Kailua-bound car at 5:18 a.m.
