Man charged in bicyclist's death

By Vicki Viotti
Advertiser Staff Writer

A 33-year-old 'Ewa man was charged Monday with second-degree negligent homicide in connection with the hit-and-run killing of a bicyclist last year.

Alfred J. Willard III also was charged with one count of leaving the scene of an accident in which a person was seriously injured. Willard was booked by police, released and will be arraigned at a date to be determined.

If convicted, Willard faces up to five years in prison on the negligent homicide charge and 10 years on the second charge.

The death of Theron "Keoki" Nicodemus, 21, attracted attention because of community tips that aided the investigation of the March 7, 2001, accident.

The victim's relatives also went public to discuss their decision to donate Nicodemus' organs, honoring a wish he had expressed earlier.

The accident occurred at 12:45 a.m. when Nicodemus, who was cycling on Fort Weaver Road, was hit from behind by a van that then fled.

Nicodemus, whose girlfriend was pregnant with his son, worked at a warehouse in Mapunapuna. He had visited a friend in Pearl City after work and was on his way home when he was hit by the van, less than a mile from St. Francis Medical Center-West.

He died at 1:40 a.m. March 8.

A Hawai'i girl received his liver, while the heart and kidneys were given to people on the Mainland.

Advertiser staff writer Curtis Lum contributed to this report.