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Man allegedly swerves into oncoming traffic, arrested

Driver nabbed in Super Bowl DUI enforcement

A driver who was seen swerving on Maui Veterans Highway and crossing into the oncoming lane Sunday evening was among 12 people arrested for impaired driving during increased police enforcement over the Super Bowl weekend.

Police also towed seven vehicles, under a new county law allowing for the towing when a driver is arrested for driving under the influence of an intoxicant, habitually driving under the influence of an intoxicant or driving after his or her license is suspended or revoked for impaired driving.

The Maui Veterans Highway driver, identified as Frank Kane Jr., 44, of Lahaina, was arrested after a concerned citizen called police dispatch to report a drunken driver, said Lt. William Hankins, commander of the police Traffic Section. He said the caller reported the vehicle operated by Kane was “swerving all over the roadway, crossing into the oncoming lane and driving on the shoulder of the roadway while traveling southbound.”

Kihei patrol officers intercepted and stopped the vehicle before a police DUI Task Force officer arrived on scene and took over the investigation, Hankins said. He said the investigation showed Kane had been driving under the influence of liquor.

After police made further checks, Kane was found to be habitually driving under the influence of an intoxicant, Hankins said.

The felony charge can be brought when someone is arrested for DUI after having two prior DUI arrests within 10 years or after having been convicted of habitual DUI one or more times within 10 years of the current arrest.

Police records show Kane was arrested at about 6:30 p.m. Sunday and was charged with habitually driving under the influence of an intoxicant and driving after his license was revoked for intoxicated driving.

His bail was increased to $20,000 when he appeared in court Monday afternoon. Kane was ordered not to drive and not to consume alcohol or illegal drugs.

The vehicle that Kane was driving Sunday was towed from the scene, Hankins said.

He said some vehicles of impaired drivers weren’t towed over the weekend because the vehicles were disabled from damages in motor vehicle crashes or because a sober passenger was able to legally drive the vehicle.

About 25 vehicles have been towed since police began enforcing the DUI tow law Jan. 17, Hankins said.

The registered owner is responsible for towing and storage fees, which can be in the $300 to $600 range, police said.

According to court records, Kane had two prior habitual DUI charges dismissed when he graduated from the Maui Drug Court program of treatment and supervision in November 2018.

Police DUI Task Force officers carried out the Super Bowl weekend enforcement starting Friday.

* Lila Fujimoto can be reached at lfujimoto@mauinews.com.

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