A Hilo grand jury has indicted an 18-year-old Mountain View man in connection with a hit-and-run collision April 27 in Hilo that seriously injured a Hilo woman.
The five-count indictment dated June 14 charges Jamell R.A. Thompson with DUI, first-degree negligent injury, leaving the scene of an accident involving serious bodily injury, and driving without a license and insurance.
According to police, Thompson was driving a Jeep Cherokee on April 27 and collided with the woman’s vehicle at the intersection of Manono and Piilani Streets. He was arrested a short time later on Kalanikoa Street.
The nature and extent of the woman’s injuries aren’t public information.
Thompson was arrested on a bench warrant for the indictment Wednesday afternoon on Banyan Drive in Hilo and later released on $8,525 bail. He’s is scheduled to be arraigned July 3 before Hilo Circuit Judge Greg Nakamura.
The indictment stated Thompson was driving “while under the influence of any drug that impaired his ability to operate the vehicle … in a careful or prudent manner.” The document didn’t specify the drug, nor did police, but he received a one-year administrative driver’s license suspension May 17 for driving while under the influence of drugs on April 27, according to court records.
In addition, a police log indicates Thompson was arrested and charged with marijuana possession Feb. 23 at Keaau High School.
Thompson missed a March 30 court date on the marijuana charge and was sentenced to a day in jail, already served, for contempt of court. He pleaded not guilty on Tuesday in Hilo District Court and was ordered to appear July 27 for a pretrial conference.
Thompson was cited for driving without a license March 2, but the ticket was dismissed March 28 with prejudice — meaning it can’t be reinstated — “pursuant to a defective citation,” according to court records. He also was ticketed that same date for using a mobile electronic device while driving and fined $297, which court records indicate hasn’t been paid.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
