Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Fatal moped crash in Kona results in two arrests

moped insurance

A 27-year-old Kona man on a moped died early Sunday in a crash involving three other vehicles on Alii Drive.

Hawaii County police, responding to a 1:56 a.m. call, say Michael Jauss of Kailua-Kona was apparently crushed between two trucks in the deadly accident.

Police say Jauss was heading south on his 2007 Honda moped on Ali'i Drive just north of Royal Poinsettia, when a 2006 Honda sports-utility vehicle, allegedly traveling north in the southbound lane, struck a green Ford 2003 pickup truck - which police say had swerved into the oncoming lane in an attempt to avoid the collision. The Honda SUV then crashed head-on into the Jauss and his moped, dragging them both 20 yards before crashing head-on with a 1994 Mazda pickup truck.

Jauss died at the scene, and was officially pronounced dead at Kona Community Hospital at 5:45 a.m.

Police say all four occupants of the green Ford pickup escaped injury.

Police arrested the driver of the Honda SUV, 24-year-old Shanelle Castaneda Acantilado of Kailua-Kona, on suspicion of first-degree negligent homicide, driving under the influence and driving without insurance. Acantilado was not injured in the crash.

The driver of the Mazda pickup truck, 26-year-old Anthony B. Smith of Kailua-Kona was also suspicion of first-degree negligent homicide, driving under the influence, promoting a detrimental drug, driving without insurance and false safety certificate, according to police. Smith suffered minor injuries, and was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where he was treated and released before being arrested.

Police say Acantilado and Smith were released without charges pending further investigation.

Police ask that anyone who may have witnessed the fatal crash - the 20th fatality of the year - call Officer Thomas Koyanagi at 326-4646, extension 229, or the Police Department's non-emergency line at 935-3311. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961 -8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.