Man sentenced in fatal crash

A 28-year-old Ocean View man will serve a maximum of 15 years in prison for a tragic 2010 drunken driving crash that killed a 31-year-old Kealakekua woman and injured two others.

Robert William Smith Jr. was sentenced Tuesday to serve consecutively up to 10 years in prison for first-degree negligent homicide and up to five years in prison for habitually operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant in connection with the Aug. 1, 2010, crash that killed Stella Corona. 3rd Circuit Court Chief Judge Ronald Ibarra also ordered Smith to serve concurrently up to five years in prison for two counts of first-degree negligent injury.

The Hawaii Paroling Authority will determine Smith’s actual sentence term during a future hearing, however, Ibarra said he will receive credit for time already served. Ibarra also ordered during his adjudication that Smith pay $2,775 in fees, fines and restitution.

Smith pleaded guilty Dec. 11 to charges of first-degree negligent homicide, habitually operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant and two counts of first-degree negligent injury in connection with the crash that killed Stella Corona.

He had pleaded not guilty in August following his indictment in July on manslaughter, habitually operating a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant, first-degree negligent homicide and two counts each of first-degree negligent injury and second-degree assault, according to court records.

Corona was the driver of a northbound 1999 Saturn four-door sedan carrying two passengers that was apparently struck by a southbound 2007 Honda two-door sedan driven by Smith. Smith’s blood alcohol content then was .101 and he tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol.

According to police, Smith had crossed the center line on Hawaii Belt Road, near mile marker 88, and collided with Corona’s car.

Corona died at the scene of the crash. Her two passengers were transported to Kona Community Hospital.