North Kohala man charged with attempted murder

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KAILUA-KONA — A North Kohala man arrested in connection with an incident where he allegedly rammed the pickup he was driving into another with a man and woman inside last week officially was charged with first-degree attempted murder, officials confirmed Monday.

KAILUA-KONA — A North Kohala man arrested in connection with an incident where he allegedly rammed the pickup he was driving into another with a man and woman inside last week officially was charged with first-degree attempted murder, officials confirmed Monday.

Dwight Antonio Rivera, 32, appeared Monday in district court for arraignment and a bail hearing after he was taken into custody Thursday in connection with the alleged ramming incident.

The incident occurred at about 1 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 250 and Kynnersley Road in North Kohala. The call came in as an active domestic dispute, according to a press release from the Hawaii Police Department.

Upon arrival, officers discovered a heavily damaged brown Toyota pickup, which was occupied by the two victims, a 31-year-old North Kohala woman and a 36-year-old Waimea man.

During the investigation, officers discovered Rivera allegedly used a red Dodge pickup to ram the victims’ vehicle repeatedly.

According to the press release, the woman was taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital in Waimea for minor injuries and was later released.

Rivera turned himself in to police at 2:10 p.m. Thursday.

On Monday, Rivera’s bail was set at $80,000. He also was charged with criminal property damage.

Rivera’s next scheduled court appearance is 1 p.m. today.

Email Tiffany DeMasters at tdemasters@westhawaiitoday.com.