Lāwa‘i man indicted on charges of manslaughter following fatal crash in January

A Lāwa‘i man was arrested on Thursday in connection with a two-vehicle crash that occurred on Jan. 19.

The Kaua‘i Circuit Court grand jury indicted Keola DeCosta, 42, on various charges related to the crash, that occurred on Po‘ipū Road, and left a 69-year-old Kalāheo man dead and a 25-year-old Kalāheo woman seriously injured.

DeCosta was indicted on the following charges:

• Manslaughter
• First-degree negligent homicide
• First-degree negligent injury
• Inattention to driving
• Operating a motor vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant
• Resisting arrest
• Reckless driving
• Excessive speeding
• Third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug
• Consuming or possessing intoxicating liquor while operating a motor vehicle

DeCosta’s bail is set at $250,000 and he is currently being held at the Kaua‘i Police Department Cell Block.

At the time of the crash, DeCosta was initially arrested but released as Kaua‘i police needed more time to investigate the case.

After further investigation, the findings were submitted to the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, and the case was brought before a grand jury where they determined there was enough evidence to move forward with the case.