LIHU‘E — A driver involved in a fatal two-vehicle crash on Kaumuali‘i Highway on Christmas Eve last year was indicted by a grand jury on 12 criminal counts ranging from manslaughter to negligent homicide, according to a Monday court filing.
On Dec. 24, 2020, Sandon Igne, 32, was operating a westbound pickup truck that veered onto the shoulder before crossing back into the westbound lane and then into the eastbound lane, hitting an oncoming sedan near Knudsen Gap (Halfway Bridge), east of the Maluhia Road (Tree Tunnel) junction.
The sedan, operated by a 19-year-old driver, contained three other passengers, including rear passenger, 49-year-old Hanama‘ulu resident Eugenia Villanueva, who suffered fatal injuries. A 71-year-old rear passenger, Delfin Geronimo, suffered serious, life-threatening injuries and was medevaced to O‘ahu. He died in September as a result of these injuries.
According to a Kaua‘i Police Department motor-vehicle-accident report, Igne tested positive for the presence of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. He also had a blood-alcohol level of 0.133%. The state’s legal limit is 0.08%
Igne was originally arrested on charges of manslaughter and three counts of negligent injury last December, and was released pending further investigation.
The grand jury, on Dec. 23 this year, indicted Igne on two counts of manslaughter, two counts of negligent homicide, three counts of negligent injury, operating a vehicle under the influence, inattention to driving, reckless driving, promoting a harmful drug and prohibited acts related to drug paraphernalia, in the Fifth Circuit Court.
Igne had not yet been arrested on the indictment as of late Tuesday afternoon, according to a KPD spokesperson.
The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney planned to share more information today.
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Sabrina Bodon, editor, can be reached at 245-0441 or sbodon@thegardenisland.com.
