Former car dealer Jimmy Pflueger, who was indicted last week in connection with the deadly collapse of Kaloko Dam, surrendered to authorities yesterday.

TV star Duane Chapman, aka Dog the Bounty Hunter and a longtime friend of Pflueger's, accompanied him to Halawa state prison and posted the bail of $71,000.

Pflueger was booked and processed at the Sheriff Division's receiving desk, said Louise Kim McCoy, spokeswoman for the state Department of Public Safety. He was freed after posting the bond.

"I was there to support him," Chapman said.

Pflueger, 82, was indicted by a Kaua'i grand jury on seven counts of manslaughter and one count of reckless endangering for the March 14, 2006, tragedy that killed seven people on Kaua'i.

Pflueger's attorney, Bill McCorriston, said last week that Pflueger plans to plead not guilty. His arraignment is scheduled for next Tuesday on Kaua'i.

For more than two years, the attorney general's office has been investigating allegations that Pflueger or others tampered with the Kaloko Dam, contributing to its collapse.

The investigation has focused on whether a key safety feature, the spillway, was filled in. The concrete spillway was designed to automatically let water flow over the dam to relieve pressure during heavy rain or flood conditions.

Pflueger has previously denied that he altered the dam.

An ex-Marine, Pflueger founded the Pflueger automobile dealerships. But he has not been involved with the company for many years, according to David Minkin, one of his attorneys.

Chapman said Pflueger was not "feeling very good" when he appeared for his booking and went to his doctor's office afterward.

In August, Pflueger underwent heart surgery and recently needed follow-up surgery because of complications.

Chapman said yesterday that he has known Pflueger and his family for about 15 years.

Speaking through spokeswoman Mona Wood, Chapman said the events on Kaua'i were "a terrible tragedy" but that he believes Pflueger "will not be found guilty."

"I haven't (personally) posted a bail bond in many years," Chapman said.

"I'm behind this bond."

Minkin said yesterday that Pflueger's legal team is hiring an attorney specializing in criminal law to handle the trial.

He added that Pflueger's attorneys will ask for copies of transcripts of last week's grand jury proceedings to see if the AG's office also presented evidence that's favorable to their client along with evidence that was used to indict him.

Previously, Pflueger's lawyers argued that the state had designated Kaloko dam as a "low hazard" dam that would cause no damage if it were to break.

They also had argued that Pflueger does not own the dam and that a private company, Kilauea Irrigation Co., is responsible for its upkeep.

"He's disappointed, he's very hurt," Minkin said.

"He's sad that he's being blamed and the state is not looking for any other individuals or institutions, including government entities, that had responsibilities for water safety and responsibilities to the public."