Maui officer faces charges for hitting pedestrian in January

LIHUE, Kauai (AP) — A police officer is facing a negligent homicide charge after hitting a pedestrian while responding to the scene of an accident.

Kauai Police Officer Irvin Magayanes was arrested Thursday and released after posting a $1,000 bail. He has been on the Kauai police force for more than two years.

In January, a driver struck 19-year-old Michael Kocher Jr. as he walked on Kaumualii Highway after sunset. He was then run over by Magayanes.

Kauai Police Chief Darryl Perry called the event “tragic” in a written statement Friday. He said Magayanes’ only intention was to assist in an emergency.