Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that a South Kona woman, 46-year-old Paulette Paulich, was sentenced to a prison term related to a 2018 traffic fatality yesterday in Kona Circuit Court.
First Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Frye argued for the maximum penalty allowable by law, a consecutive sentence which would mean that Paulich is sentenced to serve a fifteen (15) year prison term. Family members of the late Mark Brown were also present and provided input for the Court’s consideration.
This past May, after a one-week trial, a jury found Paulich “Guilty” of Negligent Homicide in the Second Degree and Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Death or Serious Bodily Injury. Yesterday, Judge Robert Kim sentenced Paulich, to a ten (10) year prison term for the Leaving the Scene offense and a five (5) year prison term for the Negligent Homicide. Judge Kim ordered that the sentences be served concurrently, or at the same time, and also ordered restitution of $1,864.00. Judge Kim ordered Paulich, who had been out of custody on supervised release pending sentencing, to be taken into custody immediately.
On July 16, 2018, a two-vehicle crash near mile marker 88 on Highway 11 claimed the life Mrk Brown, a Nevada resident.
Before the crash, reported to police at 7:19 p.m., Brown and his son were riding their motorcycles northbound on the highway after a quick stop at Manuka State Wayside Park in Ka‘u. Brownʻs son was leading the ride and watching for his father to show up behind him. When Brown didn’t appear, Brownʻs son pulled over and saw a vehicle pass that had sustained damage and was smoking. Brownʻs son then turned around and found his dad on the side of the highway.
According to reports, Police investigating the crash learned that a black 2009 Cadillac sedan also was traveling northbound on the highway when it rear-ended Brown’s northbound Harley Davidson motorcycle. Following the collision, police stated that the sedan and its operator had fled the scene. The Cadillac was located abandoned about a half-mile north of the collision site at the intersection of Highway 11 and Lani Kona Road. Officers also learned that a single female, later to be identified as Paulich, was observed walking away from the abandoned sedan.
The lead investigator for the case was Sgt. Kimo Keli‘ipa‘akaua, Kona Patrol, Hawai‘i Police Department.
“The family of Mark Brown suffered a tremendous loss as a result of the Defendant’s actions in this case, and our Office extends its deepest sympathies to them. We hope that this sentencing offers the family closure and some satisfaction that justice was served and that Mark’s memory lives on,” said First Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Frye, who handled the prosecution.
The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 in East Hawai‘i or (808) 329-8181 in West Hawai‘i.
