A 37-year-old Waimea man faces charges in connection with a one-car crash in Kailua-Kona that killed a Kona woman more than two years ago.
Randall Kawasaki was indicted Monday by a Kona grand jury on charges of manslaughter, first-degree negligent homicide, two counts of third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, plus possession of drug paraphernalia.
A bench warrant set Kawasaki’s bail at $25,000.
Police said at about 1:15 a.m. Jan. 15, 2013, Kawasaki was driving a 2000 Volkswagen two-door sedan north on Mamalahoa Highway (Highway 190) in Kailua-Kona at the 27-mile marker when he lost control, crossed the center line and struck a utility pole on the makai side of the road.
The collision killed Hannah Fergerstrom, a 27-year-old Kailua-Kona woman who was a passenger in the car.
“The indictment alleges he (Kawasaki) was driving under the influence of drugs, including methamphetamine, amphetamines, morphine, heroin and/or oxycodone,” Deputy Prosecutor Rick Damerville said Wednesday.
Damerville said the two promotion of a dangerous drug charges are for alleged possession of methamphetamine and heroin.
The prosecutor also added Kawasaki only can be convicted of either manslaughter, a Class A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison, or negligent homicide, which in this case is a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison, but not both.
Kawasaki was taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital and survived his injuries. He was arrested at the time, but released pending further investigation.
Neither Fergerstrom nor Kawasaki were wearing seat belts, police said.
Hannah Fergerstrom’s death was the first of two fatal traffic collisions the Fergerstrom family endured in 2013.
On May 28, 2013, Hannah Fergerstrom’s cousin, 24-year-old Gary J. “Buddie” Fergerstrom Jr. was killed in a one-car crash on Queen Kaahumanu Highway (Highway 19) near Kiholo Bay.
A 2007 Honda two-door sedan driven by his 24-year-old girlfriend, Mechelle DeLuz of Waikoloa, crossed the center line, ran off the road and overturned in a lava field, ejecting and killing DeLuz and Gary Fergerstrom, neither of whom were wearing seat belts.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
