Man charged after deadly crash on DKI Hwy. in South Kohala

SOUTH KOHALA, Hawaii Island (HawaiiNewsNow) – A man has been charged in a deadly crash that temporarily closed the Daniel K. Inouye Highway Saturday.

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On Sunday, the Hawaii Police Department said Jeremy Alexander Fleming, 39, of Hilo, was charged with manslaughter, second-degree negligent homicide and first-degree negligent injury.

On Saturday, at around 3 p.m., Hawaii Island police were dispatched to a reported head-on collision involving a vehicle and two motorcycles near the 46-mile marker.

First responders arrived on scene shortly after 3:25 p.m. Officers said they encountered light rain, wet roads and thick fog that significantly reduced visibility in both directions.

Officials promptly closed the highway between Old Saddle Road and Highway 190.

Investigators said Fleming, who was driving a blue 2023 Tesla, attempted to pass several westbound vehicles and allegedly entered the eastbound lane, crashing into a motorcycle, which then hit the other motorcycle next to it.

Police said the Tesla and both motorcycles ended up in an embankment adjacent to the highway.

One of the motorcycle riders was identified as William Joseph Simao of Hilo, who sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene, shortly before 4 p.m.

The second motorcyclist sustained significant injuries and was taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital before being medevaced to The Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu for further treatment.

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Authorities said Fleming was also taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital. He was arrested after his release from the hospital shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday.

Police said a Dodge Ram truck ahead of the vehicles Fleming tried to pass was damaged by debris during the crash. Its occupants were uninjured.

The road was closed for about six hours during the on-scene investigation.

The department’s investigation is ongoing, and all vehicles involved were secured as evidence.

Fleming remains in custody at the Kealakehe Police Station after being unable to post $400,000 bail.

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 [email protected].

This is the 24th traffic fatality on Hawai‘i Island in 2026, compared to 16 during the same period last year.

Hawaii police remind the public of the dangers of passing other vehicles on the island during adverse weather and low-visibility conditions. Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed appropriate for roadway and weather conditions and never attempt a passing maneuver unless it can be completed safely and legally.

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