KAILUA-KONA — A Waimea man turned himself in to authorities last week after he was indicted on negligent homicide charges in connection to a fatal bicycle crash just south of Honokohau Harbor last January.
Sixty-one-year-old Jeffrey Deaton Pelham was indicted three months ago on two counts of first-degree negligent homicide. The charges stem from a crash on Jan. 21, 2017, in North Kona.
Pelham, 60, at the time, was traveling south in a Ford pickup truck on Queen Kaahumanu Highway when he veered onto the shoulder and collided with bicyclist 42-year-old Richard Topenio, who was riding his bike southbound on the shoulder of the highway, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
At the time of the incident, Pelham was arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant, police stated. He was later released pending further investigation.
According to the indictment, Pelham negligently caused the death of Topenio by the operation of a vehicle in negligent manner while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Court documents also indicate the now-61-year-old negligently caused the death of Topenio, a vulnerable user, by the operation of a vehicle in a negligent manner.
The indictment was filed with the 3rd Circuit Court on Jan. 22. Pelham turned himself in on Friday. He was released on $10,000 bail.
In May 2017, members of the Hawaii Cycling Club held its annual Ride of Silence at the Kona Community Aquatic Center in honor of Topenio. At the annual event, members of the club lamented the crash, acknowledging how it could have easily been avoided.
Topenio is survived by his wife and two children.
Topenio’s wife is a native of the Philippines. Last year, she planned to move back permanently with her daughters.