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WAILUKU -- A 55-year-old man was arrested Sunday after he was seen driving recklessly and refused to stop for police officers after a collision, according to police.
Marcus Ruggiero of Wailuku was charged with two counts of first-degree resisting an order to stop a motor vehicle, second-degree resisting an order to stop a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of a crash involving damage to a vehicle or property, two counts of driving after license suspended or revoked for DUI and two counts of reckless driving.
On Saturday, Ruggiero was seen driving recklessly while refusing to stop for police, Deputy Prosecutor Brant Yoshimoto said during Ruggiero's initial appearance Monday in Wailuku District Court.
At 7:19 a.m. the next day, Ruggiero was involved in a motor vehicle collision and fled the scene while the other driver followed and relayed Ruggiero's location along the way, according to a declaration filed in court to support the charges. Officers reported making contact with Ruggiero near 1175 West Kuiaha Road and trying to conduct a traffic stop. Police said Ruggiero refused to stop and continued driving away.
The vehicle had a broken front axle so Ruggiero couldn't keep the vehicle in its lane while navigating turns, police said.
A half-hour later, at 7:49 a.m., Ruggiero was seen driving the same vehicle toward Pukalani on Makawao Avenue near Burns Place. The vehicle had heavy front-end damage and damage to its front passenger-side axle, police said.
"The front passenger's side tire was inoperable and facing outward, causing the tire to screech as it traveled down the roadway, thereby rendering the vehicle unable to be operated safely on the roadway," according to the declaration.
Police activated lights and sirens to try to stop the vehicle fronting the Makawao Post Office before ending the pursuit because of concern for public safety, police said.
Ruggiero was arrested at 12:50 p.m. Sunday on Kula Highway near Kamehameiki Road in Kula, police said.
He has prior convictions for assault on a law enforcement officer, seven felony drug offenses, four counts of driving under the influence of an intoxicant, leaving the scene of an accident involving damage to vehicle or property, three counts of disorderly conduct, 10 counts of contempt of court and failure to appear, Yoshimoto said.
Judge Kirstin Hamman set bail at $26,000, as requested by the prosecution.
In a pending case, Ruggiero is charged with first-degree attempted murder, second-degree resisting an order to stop a motor vehicle, reckless driving and third-degree criminal property damage. Court records show he was released in April after posting a $200,000 bail bond in the case.
* Lila Fujimoto can be reached at lfujimoto@mauinews.com.