Aussie walks free after US jetski death
A young Australian man has walked free from court after admitting killing an American teenager in a Hawaii jetski accident.
Tyson Dagley, 20, from Brisbane, pleaded no contest to charges of third degree negligent homicide after crashing into Kristen Fonseca, 16, while riding his rented jetski in Keehi Lagoon on August 5.
Ms Fonseca, from California, died from brain injuries the day after the accident, which happened as Dagley crashed into the back of her jetski.
Prosecutors had asked for the Australian to be sentenced to one year in jail, the Honolulu Star Advertiser reported.
But Circuit Judge Richard Perkins released Dagley during a court appearance on Wednesday, taking into account the 12 days he’d already spent at Oahu Community Correctional Centre.
Dagley was also ordered to pay $US78,000 ($A76,595) restitution to Ms Fonseca’s family.
He left the courtroom with his parents, Alan and Ann, and will now have to set up probation arrangements in Australia, the Honolulu Star Advertiser reported.
Police had alleged that Dagley was looking at his girlfriend, Natasha Ryan, who was onshore, and not paying attention when the accident happened.
It was further alleged that he was speeding recklessly at between 40 and 45m/ph.
Ms Ryan has been charged with hindering prosecution after she allegedly deleted two videos of the incident from her camera.
She is expected to enter a plea at her arraignment on September 7.
