Posted at 4:02 p.m., Tuesday, November 13, 2007
DUI suspect charged in fatal Big Island accident
Advertiser Staff
Big Island police today reported the death of a 20-year-old Waimea man injured Sunday in a collision in North Kohala which led to negligent homicide charges against a man allegedly driving under the influence of an intoxicant.The 1:50 a.m. collision on Akoni Pule Highway in the area of the 15 mile-marker involved two pickup trucks — 1988 Isuzu and 1988 GMC — that police suspect were racing and being operated in a reckless manner, said Kona Traffic Enforcement investigator Officer Marvin Troutman.
The Isuzu, driven by a 21-year-old Puna woman, was in the northbound lane when she struck the GMC pickup next to her truck.
The man killed was a passenger in the Isuzu pickup. He was pronounced dead at Kona Community Hospital at 7:05 a.m. Sunday.
The identity of the victim was not released pending positive identification.
The driver of the Isuzu pickup truck was taken to North Hawai'i Community Hospital in serious condition. She was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle.
Brian Santiago, 34, of North Kohala, driver of the GMC pickup, has been charged with negligent homicide, operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, driving without a license, racing on highway, inattention to driving and driving while his license is suspended/revoked for DUI.
Santiago was being held at the Kona Police Station cellblock in lieu of $7,000 bail.
Two women and a man, who were passengers in the GMC, were not injured.
The death is the 35th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year as compared to 30 at the same date last year.
