Australian visitor avoids jail over fatal jet-ski accident in Hawaii

HONOLULU, Hawaii – Despite avoiding jail for a jet-ski crash that claimed the life of Californian teenager, Queensland tourist Tyson Dagley is said to be so guilt-stricken over the fatal accident he s

HONOLULU, Hawaii – Despite avoiding jail for a jet-ski crash that claimed the life of Californian teenager, Queensland tourist Tyson Dagley is said to be so guilt-stricken over the fatal accident he struggles to eat and sleep.

Mr Dagley, a 20-year-old carpet cleaner from Crestmead, south of Brisbane, was sentenced to time already served in jail in the Circuit Court in Honolulu early this morning, local time, for his part in the Hawaii accident last month.

Mr Dagley, who spent 12 days in jail before his family could raise $US100,000 ($98,000) for his bail, entered a no-contest plea on the misdemeanour charge last month.

He was facing one year in prison, but was handed a deferred sentence today, allowing him to return home and avoid a stint in jail.

Investigators said Mr Dagley was standing on his rented watercraft and looking at his girlfriend, who was taking video and photos, when it hit 16-year-old Kristen Fonseca’s watercraft from behind on August 5.

Ms Fonseca died of her injuries in hospital the next day. Her family has filed a lawsuit against Dagley and Aloha Jet Ski, the company that rented the craft involved.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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