Trial set for moped rider charged in 2015 death of pedestrian in Makiki

A 42-year-old man appeared today in Circuit Court after he was charged in a July 2015 moped crash involving an 86-year-old pedestrian in Makiki.

John M. Yee appeared before Judge Colette Garibaldi charged with second-degree negligent homicide in the death of Waikie Lin. Deputy Public Defender Lesley Maloian entered a not-guilty plea, and trial was set for December. Yee remains free after posting $5,000 bail.

Second-degree negligent homicide is a Class C felony that carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.

Police said Yee’s moped struck Lin in a marked crosswalk on South King Street near Poha Lane. Yee, 39 at the time, sustained minor injuries and remained at the scene until police arrived.

Lin was taken in critical condition to a hospital, where he died the next day.

Prosecutors charged Yee with negligent homicide on March 3, 2016, but state sheriffs were unable to locate him. Honolulu police in a review of old cases initiated an investigation, and Yee turned himself in on March 25, 2018, after a bench warrant for his arrest was executed.

Circuit Judge Rom Trader dismissed the case without prejudice because the arrest warrant was executed more than six months from the date he was charged, violating Yee’s right to a speedy trial.

Prosecutors refiled the negligent homicide charge in September, and Yee again turned himself in to police Sunday.