Lawsuit against ‘X-men’ moviemaker dismissed

A federal judge in Hawaii is allowing a former child model to dismiss a lawsuit that accused "X-Men" director Bryan Singer of sex abuse.

Wednesday’s ruling gives Michael Egan III the option to refile the lawsuit. Singer wanted the case dismissed with prejudice, with attorney costs and fees imposed against Egan.

U.S. District Judge Susan Oki Mollway denied Singer’s request, ruling he didn’t prove that Egan’s voluntary dismissal of the case would damage the director’s reputation.

Egan has said in court documents that he wants to dismiss the case not because it lacks merit but because he can’t find an attorney to represent him.

Egan previously dropped three similar lawsuits against other entertainment figures.

Driver suffers worst injuries in 1-car crash

An 18-year-old man suffered life-threatening injuries Tuesday after he lost control of his car, which hit a rock embankment on Piilani Highway in Ulupalakua, Maui police said Wednesday.

Three male passengers — ages 26, 20 and 16, all from Keanae — were also taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center, where they were treated for minor injuries.

Police said the accident occurred at 12:53 p.m. about 1.8 miles south of Upper Kanaio Road.

The driver was headed south toward Kaupo when he drove onto the makai shoulder and then overcorrected back onto the roadway where he lost control, police said. The vehicle crossed the center line and crashed into a rock embankment on the mauka shoulder of the highway.

Man convicted of dealing meth faces life term

A federal jury has found a Hawaii island man guilty of dealing methamphetamine.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Hawaii said Kali Lotoaiki Laulea was convicted Tuesday after a five-day trial. Jurors found the 33-year-old from Kailua-Kona guilty of three counts of meth distribution.

U.S. Attorney for Hawaii Florence Nakakuni said Laulea distributed about a pound of pure crystal meth over the course of three drug transactions in Kailua-Kona last year. Prosecutors say the street value for a pound of crystal meth last year in Kailua-Kona was about $35,000.

He faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced Dec. 8.

Defense attorney Richard Gronna declined to comment Wednesday.