Fatal Collision Leads to Felony Charges
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has charged 21-year-old Brandon Scott Soleau with one felony count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence.
Circumstances of the Huntington Beach Incident
The incident occurred near the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Seapoint Street during the 2025 US Open of Surfing. Investigators allege that Aipa was riding an e-bike while holding onto a moving vehicle when he lost control and was struck by that same vehicle. Aipa sustained critical injuries and died days later after being placed on life support. The charge of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence marks a formal step in the criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision.
A Legacy Rooted in Surf History
Kolby Aipa was a prominent fixture within the Huntington Beach surfing community and a member of one of the sport’s most influential families. He was the grandson of Ben Aipa, the legendary Hawaiian surfboard shaper who revolutionized board performance in the 1970s with his “sting” design. Kolby was an active participant in the family business, Aipa Surf. Following his death, his contributions were formally recognized when he was posthumously inducted into the Huntington Beach Surfers’ Hall of Fame.
Grief and Community Response
The Aipa family released a statement expressing their grief and the impact Kolby had on those he encountered. They encouraged the public to “pass his Aloha on” by practicing the same kindness he demonstrated throughout his life.
Case Summary and Key Details
As the legal process against Soleau proceeds, the focus among those in the surf community remains on Aipa’s legacy.
- Defendant: Brandon Scott Soleau, 21.
- Charge: One felony count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence.
- Incident Location: Pacific Coast Highway near Seapoint Street, Huntington Beach.
- Victim: Kolby Aipa, 20, grandson of surfboard shaper Ben Aipa.
- Recognition: Posthumously inducted into the Huntington Beach Surfers’ Hall of Fame.
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