Australian visitor charged in deadly jet-ski collision in Hawaii

A 20-year-old tourist from Australia has been charged in a Hawaii personal watercraft collision that killed a California teen, Honolulu police say.

A 20-year-old tourist from Australia has been charged in a Hawaii personal watercraft collision that killed a California teen, Honolulu police say.

Tyson Dagley was charged with third-degree negligent homicide after he was arrested on Thursday night at a hotel, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported.

Earlier reports said the man was from Brunswick West in Melbourne. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said tonight Dagley was from Queensland.

He was being held on $100,000 bail on the misdemeanor charge and was in court on Friday for an initial appearance. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday.

Kristen Fonseca, 16, visiting from California, was riding a personal watercraft at Keehi Small Boat Harbor last Sunday when another watercraft crashed into her, authorities said. She died of her injuries on Monday, the medical examiner’s office said. The cause of death as intracranial hemorrhage.

Dagley was the driver of the Yamaha watercraft that hit Fonseca, according to a police report filed in court.

Fonseca’s father, Mario Canton, said there should be stricter personal watercraft regulations, especially in confined areas.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is also investigating the crash. A spokeswoman said both tourists were riding in an area that was authorised for personal watercraft.

They rented the watercraft from Aloha Jet Ski Rentals. Company officials couldn’t be reached on Friday. Owner Glenn Cohen told the newspaper earlier this week the crash was “the first time I have ever experienced anything like that” and said he helped pull Miss Fonseca from the water.

Mr Canton and his wife, Evangelina, laid flowers at Keehi Lagoon and spoke briefly with officials at Aloha Jet Ski, who offered condolences. They planned to return to California on Friday with their daughter’s body.

A candlelight vigil is planned for Sunday at a Vacaville park.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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