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Drugs, cash found in fatality car 03-29-04

HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
AREA I OPERATIONS BUREAU
ASSISTANT CHIEF CHARLES M. CHAI
PHONE: 961-2341
MARCH 29, 2004

MEDIA RELEASE UPDATE

Police have discovered several grams of what appears to be crystal methamphetamine, or “ice,” and a substantial amount of U.S. currency in a vehicle in which four persons were killed Wednesday (March 24, 2004) in a traffic collision on Volcano Road.

Officers made the discovery during a subsequent investigation of the crash and check of the vehicle, a Toyota Matrix, involved in the fatal collision. They also found “ice” paraphernalia in the car.

Results of toxicological tests on the four occupants of the vehicle who died in the crash are pending.

The victims were identified as Sheena Beach, 21, of Holualoa, Arthur Kahele, 29, of Kailua-Kona, Adeline Kuahuia, 42, of Kealakehe, and Siafa Taetuna, 39, of Honaunau.

Responding to a call shortly before noon Wednesday, officers determined that Kahele was driving north toward Hilo when he lost control of the vehicle, which crossed the centerline and collided with an oncoming tour mini-bus traveling south.

None of the mini-bus occupants was seriously injured. The occupants were taken to the Hilo Medical Center, where they were treated for minor injuries and released.

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