HILO — An 18-year-old Hilo man pleaded no contest Thursday to charges stemming from an alcohol-related hit-and-run collision in June last year.
Hilo Circuit Judge Glenn Hara ordered Kayin Kekaimalu Wilson to appear for sentencing at 9 a.m. March 17. Wilson pleaded no contest to first-degree negligent injury, a Class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison, and a misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of an accident.
In return for his plea, prosecutors dropped charges DUI, inattention to driving and violating the terms of a provisional driver’s license. The leaving-the-scene charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor under the agreement.
Terms of Wilson’s plea deal include four years probation. The state is free to ask for up to a year in jail for Wilson with credit for time served and all but 30 days of the jail time taken under advisement. The prosecution can also ask for up to 100 hours of community service.
The defense is free to ask for no jail time.
Wilson, who has no prior criminal record, told Hara he will request a deferral of his no-contest plea. If the judge grants the deferral, Wilson’s conviction would be erased from his record if he stays out of further trouble with the law during his probation.
Wilson’s attorney, Deputy Public Defender Sherilyn Tavares, said the reason for the no-contest plea is civil liability.
Police say that on June 28, Wilson was driving on Kalanianaole Avenue near Richardson Ocean Park when the car he was driving struck 43-year-old Leighton AhNee of Hilo. After striking AhNee, the defendant fled the scene, said Deputy Prosecutor Rick Damerville.