Vehicular manslaughter defendant waives preliminary hearing

IDAHO FALLS — A California man has waived his preliminary hearing in a local vehicular manslaughter case.

Nicholas Perea, 20, has been charged with vehicular manslaughter after a fatal accident last month at the intersection of 17 Street and Curtis Avenue in Idaho Falls.

On Monday, Perea and his attorney Curtis Smith waived his preliminary hearing that was scheduled for the October 19.

A preliminary hearing is held only on felony cases and is held before a magistrate judge. At this hearing, the prosecuting attorney presents what evidence the state has that may show that there is probable cause or reason to believe that a crime has been committed and that the defendant committed the crime.

Waiving the hearing moves the case to district court. Waiving the hearing does not imply guilt.

The collision happened Saturday, Sept. 17, around 12:30 p.m.

Witnesses told police that Perea, driving a Mazda Miata, was traveling westbound on 17th Street at an estimated speed 60 miles per hour just before he crashed into a Buick LaCrosse that was traveling southbound on Curtis.

Perea attempted to stop, but was unable to avoid crashing into the Buick, according to court documents.

The Buick driver and his three passengers were all transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

Two of the passengers, a 79‐year‐old Idaho Falls woman and an 86‐year‐old Oak Harbor, Washington, woman died as a result of their injuries.

The city of Idaho Falls has refused to release names of those involved in the crash other than Perea’s.

A male passenger in the Miata told police that “they were just testing out what the car could do.”

Court records show at the time of Perea’s arrest, he appeared to be very concerned about the well being of others involved in the accident.