Driver now admits
guilt in isle crash
that killed 3

James Steinseifer faces
a prison sentence between
20 years and life with parole

By Linda Hosek
Star-Bulletin

The man accused of killing two sisters and their 1-year-old niece in a January drunken-driving collision was expected to plead guilty to three counts of manslaughter this afternoon.

James Steinseifer, 33, was to appear before Circuit Judge James Aiona Jr. to change his plea in the Jan. 7 Kapolei crash that killed Nicole Nuuanu-Dudoit, 22; Carina Nuuanu, 24; and their niece, Laakea Nuuanu.

Steinseifer faces a prison sentence between 20 years and life with parole, said David Hayakawa, deputy public defender and Steinseifer's attorney.

"By taking full responsibility for the tragic consequence his drunk driving had on the Nuuanu family, Mr. Steinseifer's desire is to avoid a long trial and eliminate any additional stress and hardship on the family," Hayakawa said.

He said he and prosecutors reached an agreement in which he gave up the option of probation for Steinseifer and they gave up the chance for multiple life terms.

Manslaughter carries a 20-year term; life with parole represents an extended sentence.

City Prosecutor Peter Carlisle said he would comment after the hearing.

Police said Steinseifer had nearly three times the legal limit of alcohol in his system and believe he was speeding when his auto crossed the center line on Farrington Highway and struck a Honda sedan with the Nuuanu family. Nuuanu-Dudoit's son, Blake, 6, also was hurt.

According to Minnesota officials, Steinseifer was arrested twice for drunken driving there in 1985, but he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of reckless driving for the first offense. His drivers license was suspended for four months.

Traffic fatalities usually are prosecuted as negligent homicides, with a maximum 10-year prison term. Steinseifer, however, was charged with manslaughter.

Carlisle previously said the difference between manslaughter and negligent homicide has to do with state of mind. The charge depends on whether the state of mind was reckless as opposed to gross negligence, including driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Steinseifer is free on $300,000 bail.