KAILUA-KONA — A South Kona man has been indicted on aggravated vehicular homicide after being involved in a fatal car crash last week that left a woman dead in Ravenna Township, Ohio.
Joshua Kalili, 27, of Honaunau, is being held on $1 million bond on charges of two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, kidnapping, abduction and assault on a police officer.
The accident occurred at approximately 11:54 p.m. April 18 after Ohio State Highway Patrol stopped a 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada on State Route 59 for a registration violation. During the interaction with the occupants, “criminal indicators and signs of impairment were observed,” the Ohio State Highway Patrol stated in a press release. A Ravenna police officer was called to assist.
The driver, later identified as Kalili, was asked to exit the car for investigative purposes and placed in the backseat of the cruiser.
“Kalili was observed moving suspiciously and removed from the cruiser,” a press release states. “He began to resist and assault both the trooper and officer.”
Officials say a taser was deployed multiple times on Kalili, however, he was able to flee the scene in the vehicle. The rear passenger of the Bravada was able to get out of the car before the 27-year-old drove off.
A female passenger, later identified as Brianna N. Lewandowski, 22, of Springfield Township, stayed in the vehicle with Kalili.
“Kalili fled westbound on State Route 59 and traveled onto a private roadway striking a concrete barrier, resulting in the death of Lewandowski,” the release states.
Kalili then fled on foot. Ravenna, Kent and Kent State University police departments and Portage County Sheriff’s Office assisted in establishing a perimeter as they searched for the Honaunau man. The 27-year-old was found at about 1:25 a.m. in a nearby mobile home park and was taken into custody.
Kalili was indicted by grand jury in Portage County Court on April 25. He has entered a not guilty plea and jury trial is scheduled for July 9 in Portage County, Ohio.
This is not the first time Kalili has fled from authorities. In August 2012, Hawaii Police reported the 27-year-old as an escapee from the Hale Nani facility in Hilo. He was found a few days later in Kona. He also has a history of theft, burglary and unauthorized control of a vehicle.
