UPDATE: Driver Pleads Not Guilty in Kula 5-Person Fatality

Editor’s note: Article below amended to included Qalivere’s plea and bail conditions.

By Maui Now Staff

Libert K. Qalivere. MPD photo.

The driver of the car that in 2012 killed all five other occupants, and injured three others in a separate car, has been charged with nine offenses in one of Maui’s deadliest road incidents.

Libert K. Qalivere, 22, was arrested at his residence in Pukalani at 9 a.m. March 12, and charged with second-degree negligent injury, two counts of inattention to driving, driving under the influence of an intoxicant, and five counts of manslaughter.

Maui Prosecuting Attorney John D. Kim said that Qalivere had entered a plea of not guilty at his arraignment on March 13. His bail has been set at $750,000 with the following conditions:

If defendant bails before the bail hearing, must sign term and condition of supervised release; no alcohol or drugs and drug paraphernalia; cannot be in the presence of anyone using illicit drugs; submit within 2 hours for random drug and alcohol testing; no contact with family members in counts 1 through 8; curfew 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. unless Maui Intake Service Center approves modification, for work purpose only; no driving; and surrender passport.

The charges stem from a two-vehicle crash that occurred on Kula Highway, 0.5 miles north of Noholoa Place on March 25, 2012 at 6:36 a.m.

Qalivere’s blue 1998 Dodge Neon four door sedan, traveling north on Kula Highway, allegedly lost control and began to spin counterclockwise. The vehicle then crossed over the double solid yellow lines and collided with a blue 2003 Suzuki Aerio four door hatchback that was traveling south.

Police say the Dodge Neon sheered in half, ejecting five of its six passengers. All five of the parties ejected from the vehicle died from injuries suffered in the collision. Qalivere, the operator of the vehicle, was wearing his seatbelt and suffered minor injuries from the collision.

The three occupants of the Suzuki Aerio also suffered injuries from the collision and were transported to the Maui Memorial Medical Center Emergency Room. All three were transported in stable condition.

Qalivere’s next hearing is March 19 at 8:30 a.m.