LIHU‘E — This Dec. 27 will be five years since a tragic accident took the life of Theresa T. Fujitani. The 78-year-old Kapa‘a resident, who worked most of her life as a licensed practical nurse, died at Wilcox Memorial Hospital
LIHU‘E — This Dec. 27 will be five years since a tragic accident took the life of Theresa T. Fujitani.
The 78-year-old Kapa‘a resident, who worked most of her life as a licensed practical nurse, died at Wilcox Memorial Hospital after being struck by a car driven by Jacob Allen Emproso, a 33-year-old Kapa‘a resident.
Emproso appeared before Fifth Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Watanabe Monday and pleaded no-contest to an amended charge of third-degree negligent homicide.
County Deputy Prosecutor Melinda Mendes read the June 10, 2009, indictment. It read that on Dec. 27, 2006, Emproso was driving and went off the road, striking Fujitani and then a tree.
Emproso was arrested on July 5, 2009, and charged with felony second-degree negligent homicide. He agreed to a plea bargain through his attorney June Chiharu Ikemoto, which reduced the charge to misdemeanor third-degree conviction.
Watanabe set Empreso’s sentencing hearing for Feb. 15. The state has asked for up to 90 days in jail and he could face a maximum term of one-year in prison and a $2,000 fine.
