Cop in fatal car crash
appears in court today

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By Debra Barayuga
Star-Bulletin

Retired police officer Clyde Arakawa was expected to make his first court appearance today since his arrest Oct. 7 for suspicion of driving drunk when his car collided with another car, killing the lone occupant.

Arakawa, 49, who now lives in Oregon, was indicted by an Oahu grand jury last week for manslaughter in the death of 19-year-old Dana Ambrose.

Arakawa is expected to appear before Circuit Judge Richard Perkins today pursuant to an agreement by his attorney and the prosecutor's office, sources say. Arakawa is expected to request that he be placed on temporary supervised release.

Arakawa's attorney, Michael Ostendorp, and prosecutors have declined to discuss the matter because the indictment was sealed.

Prosecutors had previously indicated they could charge Arakawa with manslaughter, first-degree negligent homicide or not at all.

Manslaughter -- recklessly causing the death of another -- is punishable by a 20-year prison term. First-degree negligent homicide -- where a person causes the death of another by operating a car in a negligent manner while under the influence of alcohol -- is punishable by a 10-year prison term.

Arakawa was arrested the night of the crash for investigation of negligent homicide and driving under the influence and released. His driver's license was suspended for one year because he refused to take a field sobriety test at the crash scene and because officers found there was probable cause that he had been driving while under the influence of alcohol.

In police reports, Arakawa contended he had the green light and did not see where Ambrose's car came from.

Ambrose's family has filed a lawsuit against Arakawa and two establishments that allegedly served him drinks the night of the crash. That case is set for trial in March.