Fatal accident results in negligent homicide charge

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BY CHELSEA JENSEN | WEST HAWAII TODAY

A 21-year-old Naalehu man is facing a negligent homicide charge stemming from a 2008 Ka’u traffic crash that killed a 12-year-old boy.

Kevin Galigo was indicted Feb. 17 by a Big Island grand jury on first-degree negligent homicide and first-degree negligent injury charges in connection with the Nov. 11, 2008, crash that left Naalehu resident Blaycen Jara dead and another man injured.

According to police, Jara was one of two passengers in a sedan driven by Galigo on Kamaoa Road when Galigo apparently lost control of the vehicle and then hit a utility pole and overturned. Galigo was 17 years old at the time.

Jara and Galigo were transported to Kona Community Hospital where Jara died several hours later. The other passenger, an 18-year-old Naalehu man, was transported to Hilo Medical Center for treatment.

None was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, according to police.

First-degree negligent homicide is a class B felony punishable by a fine up to $25,000 and 10 years imprisonment, according to Hawaii Revised Statutes. First-degree negligent injury is a class C felony that carries a maximum fine of $10,000 and five years imprisonment.

BY CHELSEA JENSEN | WEST HAWAII TODAY

A 21-year-old Naalehu man is facing a negligent homicide charge stemming from a 2008 Ka’u traffic crash that killed a 12-year-old boy.

Kevin Galigo was indicted Feb. 17 by a Big Island grand jury on first-degree negligent homicide and first-degree negligent injury charges in connection with the Nov. 11, 2008, crash that left Naalehu resident Blaycen Jara dead and another man injured.

According to police, Jara was one of two passengers in a sedan driven by Galigo on Kamaoa Road when Galigo apparently lost control of the vehicle and then hit a utility pole and overturned. Galigo was 17 years old at the time.

Jara and Galigo were transported to Kona Community Hospital where Jara died several hours later. The other passenger, an 18-year-old Naalehu man, was transported to Hilo Medical Center for treatment.

None was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, according to police.

First-degree negligent homicide is a class B felony punishable by a fine up to $25,000 and 10 years imprisonment, according to Hawaii Revised Statutes. First-degree negligent injury is a class C felony that carries a maximum fine of $10,000 and five years imprisonment.