HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA — An Orange County man was charged with vehicular manslaughter after his friend was killed while car surfing on Pacific Coast Highway last August.
Brandon Scott Soleau, 21, was charged with one felony count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence in the death of 20-year-old Kolby Kekoa Aipa.
Aipa is the grandson of surfboard shaper Ben Aipa of Aipa Surfboards.
He is widely regarded as "surf royalty" among the surfing community, from Hawaii to Huntington Beach.
According to Surfer.com, Kolby was an up-and-coming surfer who held several brand sponsors including AVVA, Dakine, Cobian footwear and more. He was a member of the Huntington Beach Board Riders Club, as well.
"This is the hardest post we will ever make," a tribute from the official Aipa Surf Company account read at the time of the crash. "We are completely heartbroken. We wanted to thank all the visitors, supporters, food deliveries, donations, flowers, cards, countless stories and photos his friends have shared with us, Drs and nurses have taken care of our sweet boy."
Authorities allege that Soleau was driving his truck at more than 50 miles per hour when Aipa rode his e-bike while holding onto the vehicle.
He fell and died from his injuries last August.
"This tragedy cost the life of a young man with his entire future ahead of him and will forever impact a young man who will have to live the rest of his life knowing that he killed his friend," Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said. "This is a stark reminder that every action and every decision have a consequence."
Prosecutors accuse Soleau of giving Aipa permission to car surf on his truck, an activity that is illegal in California.
Soleau is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday. If convicted, he faces up to six years in prison.
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