A 20-year-old Kaua'i man has been charged with manslaughter and assault for an October wreck that killed an Anahola couple and left their 37-year-old son in need of constant medical care.

Jameel Ramirez of Hanama'ulu was arraigned yesterday in 5th Circuit Court and was confined at the Kaua'i Community Correctional Center in lieu of $100,000 bail. Judge Kathleen N.A. Watanabe scheduled his trial for Oct. 2.

This week's indictment and arrest of Ramirez, eight months after the Halloween Day tragedy, was welcome news to the victims' friends and relatives as they prepare for a July 1 fundraiser to help crash survivor Robert Nuesca, his wife Mercy and their four children, ages 10 to 17.

"It's good that there's justice but it doesn't change anything in our lives," said Mercy Nuesca. "We still have to face every day with our struggles."

Robert Nuesca was with his parents, Louis and Helene Nuesca Jr., returning from a bakery with cakes for a family potluck, when Ramirez's vehicle crossed the center line and collided with the victims' car on Kuhio Highway in Lihu'e. Helene "Sister Lei" Nuesca, 61, a former security guard at Lihu'e Airport, died at the scene. Her 62-year-old husband, a retired Wilcox Hospital security guard, succumbed to injuries Dec. 3 at The Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu.

Robert Nuesca suffered head injuries that left him a paraplegic with severe brain damage. His wife said he is unable to communicate and requires around-the-clock care.

The couple met in 1986 as entertainers with Uncle Larry Rivera's lu'au show. They continued to earn a living as performers, with Robert also working construction during the day.

The entire Nuesca family is well-known in the community. Robert coached Pop Warner football, the Kapa'a High School junior varsity football team and the Kawaihau Community Little League, and his father, known as "Papa Louie," participated in senior baseball and bowling leagues.

Helene Nuesca was involved in charity work and was a regular helper at the Wilcox Hospital thrift store. The family are members of Aloha Church in Lihu'e, where Mercy runs a hula troupe.

"Pretty much whatever the needs were, they were there," said family friend Kathy Freire, who is helping with the July 1 fundraiser.

Since the fatal crash, Mercy has had to cut back to part-time work as a front-desk agent for Pahio Resorts in Princeville, and son Rylan 17, who just graduated from Kapa'a High School, works full time at the Hilton, while also performing at Gaylord's Lu'au two nights a week.

"He's had to step up to his dad's place — not really, but he's trying," said Mercy.

Freire said supporters are hoping to collect at least $50,000 to renovate the late Nuescas' residence in Hawaiian Homes to accommodate Robert and his family.

The event, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Aloha Paintball Field, includes entertainment, food, games, a bake sale, country store, a silent auction and a three-man paintball tournament. Sunday is the deadline to register for the tournament, which costs $25 per person. For more information, call Timothy Agustin at (808) 652-9808 or Colette Nagao at (808) 652-0065. More information is available online at www.alohachurch.org.

Reach Christie Wilson at cwilson@honoluluadvertiser.com.