Whatever
Happened To...
An update on past news
Injured driver may face
charges in car crash
that killed girl, 15Question: What ever happened to the driver of the car that crashed near the Women's Community Correctional Center in Kailua last year, killing a 15-year-old Kaneohe girl who was the passenger?
Answer: The driver of the car, a 22-year-old Waimanalo man, was injured critically in the May 28, 2002, crash. He has since recovered and may face criminal charges in the death of 15-year-old Jasmine Pai.
Pai was the front-seat passenger in his car, which witnesses said was speeding and veering onto the grass median of Kalanianaole Highway to pass other vehicles, according to police.
Police said some witnesses reported the car was traveling at least 70 mph, while others said it was going faster than 100 mph.
The car slid into oncoming traffic and collided with a van, police said. The impact broke the car in two pieces and threw Pai and the driver onto the roadway. Police said neither was wearing a seat belt.
Pai was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition. The driver of the van was not injured.
The collision occurred as the Honolulu Police Department was conducting its "Click It or Ticket" campaign to enforce seat-belt usage.
One day after the crash, Maj. Robert Prasser, who was commander of HPD's Traffic Division, said police may seek a manslaughter charge against the driver because witnesses' reports indicate the driver was reckless.
Police completed their investigation and forwarded it to city prosecutors May 22 for review.
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