StarBulletin.com

Repeat offender indicted in death of motorcyclist


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POSTED: Thursday, July 16, 2009

A 35-year-old repeat offender, banned from driving for life since 2006, has been indicted in connection with the December hit-and-run death of a motorcyclist in Waipahu.

Siaosi K. Feleunga was indicted Tuesday by an Oahu grand jury on charges of failing to remain at the scene of a fatal accident, second-degree negligent homicide and operating a vehicle while his license was revoked.

The victim was motorcyclist Lindsay Kane, killed when a truck turned into his lane and struck him on Farrington Highway on Dec. 29.

Feleunga is also awaiting trial in Circuit Court on unrelated charges of second-degree terroristic threatening, driving without a license and contempt of court.

Feleunga has 14 convictions in Honolulu, Kauai and the Big Island for driving a vehicle while intoxicated three times, five counts of third-degree assault, felony assault and other charges.

The terroristic threatening and driving without a license charges stem from a July 4, 2004, incident. The contempt allegedly occurred in District Court in September 2004.

In October 2006, a judge issued an $11,000 warrant when Feleunga failed to show up in court for the charges. Feleunga wasn't arrested until Jan. 12 this year.

In February, the judge dismissed the 2004 charges because the state took too long to prosecute, but gave the state the opportunity to refile the charges, which it did in April. Feleunga pleaded not guilty June 15.

In a March hearing in the hit-and-run case, prosecutors asked the judge to set bail for Feleunga, saying he has a substantial history of criminal convictions, of not complying with his sentences and of not showing up for court, court records show.

On Jan. 14, 2006, Feleunga lost his privilege to drive for life. Despite the punishment, he was cited for speeding, driving 47 mph in a 35 mph zone on Nov. 14, 2006, and 76 mph in a 55 mph zone nine days later, records show.

A deputy prosecutor called Feleunga “;a danger to our community”; with numerous “;convictions for violent crimes.”;

The hit-and-run case and the unrelated cases are scheduled for trial in August.