KEALAKEKUA — A former rising star in the surfing world will be examined by three doctors to determine his mental fitness to proceed following a hearing on Wednesday. ADVERTISING KEALAKEKUA — A former rising star in the surfing world will
KEALAKEKUA — A former rising star in the surfing world will be examined by three doctors to determine his mental fitness to proceed following a hearing on Wednesday.
Tonino Benson, 26, of Kailua-Kona, is charged with first-degree assault on a law enforcement officer, reckless driving, second-degree reckless endangerment and failure to obey police.
The charging documents specify that the offenses were against a police officer assigned to the Hawaii Police Department’s Traffic Enforcement Unit.
Benson was pulled over by police on Alii Drive Sunday night and, when informed he was wanted on a probation violation, drove off, said Chris Loos, spokeswoman for the department.
His maneuver forced an officer to jump out of the way to avoid being hit, she said. She didn’t say how officers eventually arrested Benson.
Benson was in the middle of a four-year probation term after entering a deferred acceptance of a not guilty plea to charges of first-degree burglary, second-degree theft, second-degree forgery and attempted second-degree theft on July 1, 2014. He was also ordered to perform 200 hours of community service. In a separate case, he entered a similar plea to a charge of failure to return a motor vehicle.
In 2014, he was arrested first for not showing up to two HOPE Probation drug tests. The judge issued an arrest warrant for another allegation of violation of probation on July 21, 2014, which resulted in his arrest Sunday.
Benson is a professional surfer, having competed in the O’Neill Coldwater Classic, finishing 49th.
He was among the surf world’s rising stars in 2011, placing 96th for the year, according to the World Surf League. He placed 224th in 2012 and 696th in 2015.
His attorney, deputy public defender Ann Datta, entered a request for a mental health examination for Benson. The state, represented by deputy prosecuting attorney Charles Murray, did not object.
The hearing was scheduled for 1 p.m. April 20.
