Tavares was a passenger in a 1988 Isuzu pickup truck that crashed on Akoni Pule Highway shortly before 2 a.m. after contacting a 1980 GMC pickup.

Police suspect the two trucks were racing and driving recklessly.

A Puna woman, 21, driving the Isuzu, suffered serious injuries while the GMC driver — 34-year-old Brian Santiago of North Kohala — was charged with multiple offenses including first-degree negligent homicide, operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant,driving without a license, racing on the highway, and inattentive driving.

Santiago's driver's license had been suspended/revoked for a DUI offense.