LIHUE — A criminal case involving a traffic fatality was remanded back to district court Tuesday in 5th Circuit Court. Nerio Labrador Lazaro, 46, of Kalaheo, is charged with misdemeanor counts of third-degree negligent homicide and inattention to driving. The
LIHUE — A criminal case involving a traffic fatality was remanded back to district court Tuesday in 5th Circuit Court.
Nerio Labrador Lazaro, 46, of Kalaheo, is charged with misdemeanor counts of third-degree negligent homicide and inattention to driving.
The switch to district court means Lazaro won’t face a jury trial, but his case could go before a judge, instead.
Judge Kathleen Watanabe granted the motion without objection from County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Lisa Arin. The motion was filed by defense attorney Craig De Costa in January.
Lazaro will make a district court appearance on Feb. 25.
The accident occurred about 10:15 a.m. on May 1, 2012.
Jaime Lyn Rogers, 35, of Kapaa, was waiting to make a left turn off Kuhio Highway near the Kapaka Street junction in Princeville. She was a massage therapist on her way to an appointment and her green Ford SUV was rear-ended by Lazaro’s white Ford pickup truck, according to a friend of the victim.
A piece of equipment came forward from the back of Rogers’ vehicle and struck her in the back of the head, the friend said. Rogers died later at Wilcox Memorial Hospital. Lazaro, who was 43 years old at the time, sustained minor injuries.
There wasn’t a felony complaint or indictment in the case because Lazaro was not charged with a felony. Lazaro wasn’t arrested, but summoned to court on a penal summons.
Lazaro’s case initially began in district court but was sent to circuit court for jury trial on July 2, 2013.
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