Whatever Happened To...
An update on past news



Probe of bicyclist’s death ongoing

Question: What ever happened to the investigation into the traffic death of environmentally conscious bicyclist Robert Clay, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver in South Maui on the night of Sept. 5, 2007?

Answer: Maui police traffic detectives are still investigating Clay's death but have not made any arrests or filed any charges.

Police Sgt. Stacey Yamashita said a silver 2003 Honda Accord was recovered the day after the crash and had damage consistent with being involved in the crash.

Yamashita said police investigators determined later that the car was involved in Clay's death, and investigators have spoken with the vehicle's owner.

Clay, 46, who had finished his work as a customer service representative at Ace Hardware in Kihei, was riding his bicycle on Alulike Street on his way home to Kihei Villages when he made a left turn onto Kenolio Road in the Maalaea direction and was struck by the car at about 8:15 p.m. on a Wednesday.

The vehicle was traveling southeast on Kenolio Road and fled the scene, police said.

Clay's girlfriend said he was using the bicycle to commute because he was environmentally conscious and wanted to use a cleaner mode of transportation than a car.

Clay, originally from Seattle, was also a substitute teacher at Lokelani Intermediate School, wrote poetry and played guitar.

"He was a gifted teacher and committed environmentalist," said teacher Melinda Gohn, a founder of the statewide Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Poetry Contest.

"He is deeply missed."

Police ask that anyone with information on the case call investigators at 244-6346 or the traffic section at 270-6537.

This update was written by Gary T. Kubota.



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