(BIVN) – The Hilo man who was arrested Saturday after the vehicle he was driving allegedly struck and killed one motorcyclist, and critically injured another, has been charged.
Prosecutors say 39-year-old Jeremy A. Fleming was charged with Manslaughter, Negligent Homicide in the Second Degree, and Negligent Injury in the First Degree, after the fatal collision near the 46 mile marker on the Daniel K. Inouye Highway on September 5, 2026.
The collision resulted in the death of 55-year-old William Simao of Hilo and critically injured 35-year-old Perry Keohuloa, also of Hilo.
From the office of the Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney:
According to police reports, Fleming, who was operating a 2023 Tesla sedan and attempting to overtake multiple vehicles in heavy fog and low visibility conditions collided head on with a 2020 Harley Davidson, being operated by Simao. The Tesla also impacted a motorcycle operated by Keohuloa. A fourth vehicle, a Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck, also sustained damage after being struck by debris from the collision. Simao was pronounced dead at the scene and Keohuloa was flown to the Queen’s Medical Center on O‘ahu with life threatening injuries.
Fleming made his initial appearance in Kona District Court on Tuesday morning, where the District Court judge reduced Fleming’s bail from $400,000 to $300,000. He was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing on September 9, 2026.
Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen says:
As the Complaint alleges, Fleming is charged with Manslaughter (recklessly cause the death of another person), Negligent Homicide in the Second Degree (causing the death of another person by the operation of a motor vehicle in a negligent manner), and Negligent Injury in the First Degree (causing serious bodily to another person by the operation of a vehicle in a negligent manner). The most serious offense, Manslaughter, is a class A felony offense and carries a maximum penalty of a twenty-year prison term. Negligent Homicide in the Second Degree and Negligent Injury in the First Degree are both class C felony offenses and carry a maximum penalty of a five-year prison term.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
