LIHUE — A man accused of striking a woman on Rice Street with his vehicle more than a year ago pleaded not guilty to negligent homicide Tuesday. Derreck Agan, 49, appeared before Circuit Court Judge Randal Valenciano and waived oral
LIHUE — A man accused of striking a woman on Rice Street with his vehicle more than a year ago pleaded not guilty to negligent homicide Tuesday.
Derreck Agan, 49, appeared before Circuit Court Judge Randal Valenciano and waived oral reading of his charges. His trial is set for May 2 before Judge Kathleen Watanabe.
Valenciano’s law office once represented Agan on a different matter, so the court declared a conflict. The case will be heard by Watanabe in her courtroom, Valenciano said.
Agan is charged with negligent homicide in the first degree for hitting 60-year-old Paulanna Larish as she crossed the marked crosswalk on Rice Street in the early morning hours of Oct. 7, 2014.
Agan, driving a Toyota Tacoma, allegedly hit Larish at 6:15 a.m. as she made her way across the street by the Lihue Post Office, police said.
Agan got out of his vehicle and tried to assist Larish, but while he was doing so, another driver in a Mercury Mountaineer also drove over the crosswalk and allegedly struck Larish, according to reports.
Tierra Aiolupotea, the driver of the Mercury Mountaineer, left the scene and was found three days later, police said.
Larish, who was homeless, died at the scene.
Aiolupotea was indicted by a grand jury on Dec. 17 on charges of negligent homicide in the second degree and accidents involving death or serious bodily injury.
Aiolupotea has not been served, according to the office of the prosecuting attorney.
