A 21-year-old Kailua-Kona man who pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter in August in connection with a 2022 traffic crash that killed a 63-year-old woman told a judge Nov. 4 that he “has a heavy heart and is fully aware of the seriousness of it.” ” from your actions.

Trevor Shoemaker-Hassey was 19 years old and consumed alcohol and Xanax on July 14, 2022, when the rental white 2019 Nissan Rogue he was driving crossed double solid yellow lines on Mamalahoa Highway near Akina Place in North Kona and struck Rhonda Dee Freedman’s 2018 vehicle. He was under the influence of. Head to head, the Nissan Versa kills it.

Freedman was alone in his car. Shoemaker-Hassey and her 17-year-old female passenger were not injured in the collision.

Shoemaker-Hassey told Freedman’s family in Kona Circuit Court that she was “truly sorry” for “the pain I’ve caused you.”

“I wish there was something I could do to bring him back, but I know it’s impossible,” he said.

Shoemaker-Hassey told Judge Kimberly Tsuchiya that she acknowledged “causing irreversible harm and I take full responsibility for that.”

Shoemaker-Hassey’s plea was entered in a deal with prosecutors, and charges of first-degree negligent homicide, reckless driving, third-degree reckless endangerment, driving under the influence, underage drinking, promoting intoxicating compounds and harassment were dropped.

Manslaughter carries a potential sentence of 20 years in prison, but Shoemaker-Hassey is eligible for sentencing as a youthful offender, in which case the maximum sentence would be eight years in prison. He also has the right to probation.

The state stated that Shoemaker-Hassey would not object to sentencing the juvenile offender. When Tsuchiya asked why, Assistant Prosecutor Charles Murray III replied, “Because he’s available.”

Murray defended the prison sentence, saying Shoemaker-Hassey “chose to do Xanax with an underage girl … and after making Xanax and drinking alcohol, he chose to take her back to Magic Sands (Beach).”

Shoemaker-Hassey’s defense attorney, Jason Kwiat, requested probation “with strict conditions, including alcohol and drug monitoring.” He said his client made a “serious mistake” but “took full responsibility and had a terrible time in custody.”

Prior to Shoemaker-Hassey’s announcement, numerous family and friends of Rhonda Freedman approached the court; These included her husband, Steven Freedman, who sued Shoemaker-Hassey, Shoemaker-Hassey’s parents, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car of Hawaii, seeking $14 million. damages.

Freedman told the judge Shoemaker-Hassey showed no remorse and should be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison. He called Shoemaker-Hassey “a reckless danger on our roads.”

Max Kahikina Freedman, one of Steve and Rhonda Freedman’s sons, warned Shoemaker-Hassey that if she were released, she “can’t wait to see you outside this courtroom.”

“I object to that, Your Honor,” Kwiat interjected.

The dead woman’s son told the defense lawyer, “Objection whatever you want.”

Since the fatal crash, Shoemaker-Hassey — who was free on $75,000 bail at the time — was arrested on July 19, 2023, in Kailua-Kona on suspicion of DUI, driving after license suspended for drunk driving and driving without insurance.

He was released from custody pending further investigation and these charges have not yet been filed.

Additionally, Shoemaker-Hassey was arrested on September 17, 2023, on suspicion of driving after her license was suspended for DUI and third-degree promoting a dangerous drug.

Shoemaker-Hassey was stopped by police near the Triangle Park parking lot on Kuakini Highway in Kailua-Kona after officers spotted him driving “with an unconscious female passenger in his vehicle,” according to a motion prosecutors filed in October 2023 to revoke his bail. It was later determined that he was suffering from an overdose related to opium use.

The motion stated that Shoemaker-Hassey’s “continued operation of a vehicle despite his license suspension, as well as allegations of drug use in connection with the operation of that vehicle,” showed that he “poses a serious danger to the community.”

No charges have been filed in this case, but Shoemaker-Hassey’s bail has been increased to $175,000 and he remains in custody at the Hawaii Community Correction Center.

Recently retired 3rd Circuit Judge Robert Kim denied a request in April to place Shoemaker-Hassey on supervised release (a type of cashless bail) or reduce her bail.

Additionally, following the collision, Shoemaker-Hassey was arrested or arrested and later convicted of the following offenses: using an electronic mobile device while driving on October 12, 2022; speeding 69 mph in a 55 mph zone on October 23, 2022; careless driving, driving left of center and ignoring solid white line on October 27, 2022; careless driving and disregarding solid white and solid yellow lines on December 1, 2022.

The judge said he had received numerous letters describing Shoemaker-Hassey as intelligent and well-read, and then added that “there is a difference between intelligence and knowing the facts and wisdom…between having common sense.”

Tsuchiya postponed sentencing until December 5 for a more complete accounting of compensation claims. He did not check the box on the plea agreement form stating that he would abide by the terms of the plea agreement.