Driver high on meth gets stiff sentence in cyclist's death

WAILUKU, MAUI (HawaiiNewsNow) - The driver of a pick-up truck who struck and killed a Maui cyclist last year faces more than a decade in jail.

Maui Circuit Judge Richard Bissen Friday sentenced 29-year-old Michael Cattaneo to ten years in prison for negligent homicide and five years for drug charges.

"In this particular case, (Cattaneo) will have to serve every day of his ten-year sentence" before being considered for parole, said Maui Deputy Prosecutor Kerry Glen.

"This individual not only killed someone but went on ,,, and continued to use drugs."

The sentencing capped an emotional day which saw dozens of friends and supporters take to the streets honor of Hagen, riding their bikes from Maalaea to the Wailuku courthouse.

"What happened to Karl Hagen was a senseless tragedy. It didn't need to happen," said Danny Boren of the Maui Bicycling League.

It happened on Piilani Highway near Kanani Road last April when Cattaneo drifted into the northbound bike lane and struck the 61-year-old Hagen. He was high on meth at the time.

Nearly nine months after the accident, Cattaneo was arrested again, this time for possessing illegal drugs.

During yesterday's sentencing hearing, Cattaneo expressed remorse.

"He cried quite a bit. One thing he did do is turn around to the family of Karl Hagen and apologized," Glen said.

But the prosecutor said the judge appeared to be moved more by testimony from the victim's family and his friends.

"I would estimate there were 75 to 100 supporters there ... a number of people there wearing shirts that said 'I support Karl,'" Glenn said.

Many of Hagen's supporters hope the jail sentence will send a strong message that driving under the influence won't be tolerated.

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