Maui Police Chief Admits To Hit-And-Run That Damaged Motorcycle
The Maui Police Department said Police Chief Tivoli Faaumu remains on regular duty. The agency estimated the damage to the vehicles at less than $3,000.
Maui Police Chief Tivoli Faaumu admitted Wednesday to leaving the scene of an accident in the parking lot of a shopping center without stopping.
The incident happened Nov. 7 in the parking lot of Kaahumanu Shopping Center.
In his written statement to police, Faaumu claimed he did not realize he had hit the parked motorcycle. But surveillance video from the mall, which was posted online, shows him slamming on the brakes after striking the bike and looking back more than once before leaving.
A passenger in Faaumu鈥檚 white Ford pickup truck also appeared to look back after the impact.
The Maui Police Department said Faaumu remains on regular duty. The agency estimated the damage to the vehicles at less than $3,000.
Maui Mayor Mike Victorino declined to comment on the incident in a press availability Wednesday, saying he wants the investigation to take its course.
Hitting a parked vehicle with no one inside is a traffic infraction that comes with a $100 fine.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e supposed to try to notify anybody nearby and stick around,鈥 said attorney Dave Fanelli, who specializes in traffic cases.
Fanelli said leaving a note will suffice if the driver cannot find the owner of the vehicle that was struck.
The Maui Police Department confirmed that Faaumu left the scene without leaving a note or his information with the shopping center.
The video was posted to YouTube and a news release from MPD refers to that social media clip, giving the motorcycle owner the belief that the chief only came forward only because it was uploaded.
Hawaii News Now asked MPD鈥檚 spokesperson if Faaumu was cited and if the case is still under investigation and did not receive a response.
