A 25-year-old Pahoa woman accused of killing a pedestrian in a hit-and-run traffic incident on April 13 in Hilo will receive a court-ordered mental examination.
Hilo District Judge David Harada-Stone on Thursday ordered Sienna Tavares-Brown to be examined by three mental health professionals.
The exam, to determine fitness to stand trial and penal responsibility — her mental state at the time of the alleged offenses — was requested by Deputy Public Defender Zachary Wingert, with no objection by Deputy Prosecutor Herbert Mukai.
Harada-Stone ordered Tavares-Brown to return to court at 1:30 p.m. May 28.
Tavares-Brown is charged with first-degree negligent homicide, DUI, driving after license suspended, leaving the scene of an accident causing death, leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage, reckless endangering, and children unrestrained in vehicle.
According to court documents filed by police, Tavares-Brown’s blood-alcohol content was measured at 0.272 — more than three times the threshold for legal intoxication — when she allegedly ran off East Kawili Street near Hawaii Community College and struck 57-year-old Eric Mabuni of Hilo.
Mabuni died April 15 at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu.
Police say Tavares-Brown drove away and clipped a pedestrian traffic signal while turning right onto Kanoelehua Avenue and driving toward Puna.
Police apprehended Tavares-Brown when her vehicle stalled out near the intersection of East Kawailani Street.
Tavares-Brown allegedly drove with two daughters, ages 5 and 2, unrestrained in the rear seat of her 2006 Honda Element. According to police, several opened cans of Truly Hard Seltzer were found in the vehicle.
Also on Thursday, the children’s father, Keola James Bohol-Salas, filed a civil complaint in Hilo Family Court against Tavares-Brown, alleging domestic abuse. A hearing is set for April 30.
The case is confidential, and details aren’t publicly available.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
