A Kailua man was arraigned yesterday in Circuit Court on a first-degree negligent homicide charge in connection with the death of a pedestrian near Kailua High School in January.

Thomas Terry Copeland II, 38, of a Maluniu Avenue address, surrendered to police Sunday in Kane'ohe at 6:30 p.m. A $50,000 warrant for his arrest was issued Sept. 23 after a grand jury indicted Copeland.

A trial was scheduled to begin the week of Dec. 8.

Copeland was the driver of a Geo Metro that struck pedestrian Paena Magarro, 69, on Kailua Road at Ulumanu Drive at 5:18 a.m. on Jan. 11. Magarro died at Castle Medical Center at 5:49 a.m.

Magarro was not in a crosswalk when struck by Copeland's Kailua-bound car. She was crossing the four-lane road near her Ulumanu Drive home to catch a bus to Waikiki, where she worked as a housekeeper to provide for herself and her husband, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer seven years ago.

Vehicular homicide investigators said speed and alcohol or drugs appeared to be contributing factors for the collision.

Copeland also was indicted Sept. 23 on suspicion of driving without insurance.

In November 2003, Copeland was charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, a petty misdemeanor. He was fined $150.

Later, Copeland was convicted of misdemeanor abuse of a family member and 10 offenses related to violating a temporary restraining order in March 2005.

If convicted of first-degree negligent homicide, Copeland could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.