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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Driver gets five years for fleeing crash

By Melissa Tanji
Maui News

WAILUKU — A 48-year-old Kula man, repeatedly convicted for driving under the influence, was sentenced last week to five years in prison for leaving the scene of a vehicular accident in which a woman was hurt.

Second Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza also ordered Shanklin Kama Freitas to pay $503.50 in restitution and perform 100 hours of community service.

Freitas, whose license had been suspended for DUI when he was involved in the January accident, had two more years added to a license suspension.

He had pleaded no contest to first-degree negligent injury, leaving an accident involving death or serious bodily injury, driving while his license was suspended or revoked for DUI and driving without no-fault insurance.

According to court records, the charges stem from a Jan. 10 incident in which Freitas was driving a black Toyota truck and passed a car in a no-passing zone on Kula Highway. The truck hit the car it was passing and overturned while the car spun out of control and hit a guardrail.

The driver of the car, Sherry Lynn Maresca, was injured and Freitas fled the scene. Freitas told police he ran away because he didn't have a license.

In a letter to the court, Maresca said she had to undergo therapy and is still in pain. She can no longer ride dirt bikes. Her relatives said she is nervous about driving.

Court records show that Freitas had multiple DUI convictions dating to 1985.

Deputy Prosecutor Melinda Mendes said outside of court Wednesday that "community safety warranted (Freitas) going to prison."