State law requires post-accident screening in serious crashes

LIHUE — When it comes to traffic accidents that result in death or serious injury, the person believed responsible should be taken to the hospital for mandatory testing, according to Hawaii Revised Statutes (state law).

But on Aug. 7, 2015, Kauai Police Department officers who responded to the scene of a wreck that resulted in the death of 83-year-old Juana Domingo did not call for KPD traffic officers to respond. Nor was the driver of the other vehicle who allegedly caused the wreck tested for the presence of drugs or alcohol.

That day, Domingo was riding in a Honda Sedan when it was struck by another vehicle, driven by Kevin Perry, who crossed the center line after he attempted to turn onto Maluhia Road, according to police reports.

The on-scene medical evaluation did not indicate that those involved sustained serious injuries, said Sarah Blane, county spokeswoman.

“The critical nature of Mrs. Domingo’s injuries were not known until she was admitted to Wilcox Hospital for medical treatment,” she said.

Domingo, who lived in Kekaha, died a week later at Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu.

According to court records, there are different stories as to the cause of the wreck. One is that Perry was reaching for a Hydro Flask. Another is that he was communicating on the phone.

Perry, a firefighter with the Kauai Fire Department, was sentenced to 90 days in jail on negligent homicide in the third degree and inattention to driving charges on April 27.

The Koloa man is also serving at the same time a sentence on one count of intent of choking after police say he beat up his girlfriend in 2015.

He is expected to be released from Kauai Community Correctional Center on July 23, according to a Victim Information and Notification Everyday search.

In the days following his sentencing, TGI put in a request to find out what KPD’s procedures are for taking field sobriety tests at the scene of a wreck.

That information was made available on June 7.