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Posted: Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 4:41 AM HST

Man sentenced for causing 7 accidents

By Associated Press

LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) — A one-year prison sentence has been handed down in the case of a Kauai man who caused seven traffic accidents in 20 minutes, leaving three people injured. The accidents caused by Randy Melendez in his pickup truck occurred last Dec. 21 along an 8-mile stretch of road between Lihue and Kapaa. Melendez was initially charged with 13 crimes, including six counts of leaving the scene of an accident and four counts of reckless driving. Under a plea agreement, Melendez was allowed to plead guilty to two felonies and six misdemeanors. At his sentencing last week, Melendez explained his actions by saying his wife had left him, his contracting business was failing, he was worried about how he was going to make two home mortgage payments, and he was on prescription drugs. (Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved)