(BIVN) – A Hilo man was arrested and charged with manslaughter after he allegedly struck and killed a motorcyclist Saturday on the Daniel K. Inouye Highway, as he was attempting to pass multiple vehicles, police say.
39-year-old Jeremy Alexander Fleming was driving a blue 2023 Tesla sedan, and traveling westbound on the cross-island highway. In an apparent attempt to pass several vehicles by driving in the eastbound lane, Fleming allegedly collided with a gray 2020 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, traveling eastbound, operated by 55-year-old William Joseph Simao of Hilo. Simao was pronounced deceased at the scene at approximately 3:55 p.m.
The collision also caused Simao’s motorcycle to crash into a second motorcycle, operated by a 35-year-old Hilo man, who sustained significant injuries. He was transported to North Hawai‘i Community Hospital before being medically evacuated to The Queen’s Medical Center on O‘ahu for further treatment, police say.
Here is the full news release provided by the Hawaiʻi Police Department:
On September 5, 2026, at approximately 3:07 p.m., Hawai‘i Police Department dispatch received a report of a traffic collision on Daniel K. Inouye Highway near the 46-mile marker. Initial reports indicated a head-on collision involving a vehicle and two motorcycles.
South Kohala patrol officers and emergency personnel responded to the scene. Upon officers’ arrival at approximately 3:26 p.m., roadway and weather conditions included light rain, water on the roadway, and thick fog that significantly reduced visibility in both directions.
The investigation determined that a blue 2023 Tesla sedan, operated by 39-year-old Jeremy Alexander Fleming of Hilo, was traveling westbound on Daniel K. Inouye Highway. Fleming attempted to pass several westbound vehicles by entering the eastbound lane of travel.
During the passing maneuver, the Tesla collided with a gray 2020 Harley-Davidson motorcycle traveling eastbound. The collision caused the Harley-Davidson to collide with a second motorcycle that was also traveling eastbound in the same lane.
The Tesla and both motorcycles came to rest down an embankment adjacent to the highway.
The operator of the Harley-Davidson was identified as 55-year-old William Joseph Simao of Hilo. Simao sustained fatal injuries as a result of the collision and was pronounced deceased at the scene at approximately 3:55 p.m.
The second motorcycle was operated by a 35-year-old Hilo man who was the sole occupant. He sustained significant injuries and was transported to North Hawai‘i Community Hospital before being medically evacuated to The Queen’s Medical Center on O‘ahu for further treatment.
A fourth vehicle, a red 2014 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck, was also involved in the collision. The Dodge was traveling ahead of the vehicles Fleming was attempting to pass and sustained damage after being struck by debris from the collision. The occupants of the Dodge were not injured.
Fleming was transported to North Hawai‘i Community Hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries. After being released from the hospital, Fleming was arrested at approximately 7:55 p.m. on September 5, 2026.
Fleming was charged with manslaughter, negligent homicide in the second degree, and negligent injury in the first degree. His bail was set at $400,000. Fleming remains in custody at the Kealakehe Police Station cellblock after being unable to post bail.
The investigation remains ongoing, and all vehicles involved in the collision were secured as evidence.
Anyone who witnessed the collision or has information regarding this incident is asked to contact Officer Adam Roberg at (808) 326-4646, extension 3229, or by email at adam.roberg@hawaiipolice.gov.
This is the 24th traffic fatality on Hawai‘i Island in 2026, compared to 16 during the same period last year.
This collision serves as another tragic reminder of the dangers associated with passing other vehicles on Hawai‘i Island roadways, particularly during adverse weather and reduced-visibility conditions. Motorists are reminded to exercise extreme caution, maintain a safe speed appropriate for roadway and weather conditions, and never attempt a passing maneuver unless it can be completed safely and legally.
