UPDATE: Man Charged in Keaʻau Hit-and-Run Crash

UPDATE 11:57 a.m., May 17, 2017: Police have charged 26-year-old Keempe Drequito of Keaʻau, who was arrested after fleeing the scene of a two-vehicle crash in Keaʻau on Sunday, May 14.

26-year-old Keempe Drequito of Keaʻau has been charged with manslaughter, negligent homicide, accident involving death or serious injury and reckless driving. Photo Courtesy

Drequito was arrested for manslaughter on Tuesday, May 16, and charged at 6 p.m. with manslaughter, negligent homicide, accident involving death or serious injury and reckless driving. His bail was set at $286,000.

Drequito was released for driving under the influence of intoxicants.

He is being held at the Hilo police cellblock until his initial court appearance today, May 17.

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Police have identified the man who died from injuries sustained in a two-vehicle crash Sunday night, May 14 on Highway 130, near the Shower Drive and Pōhaku Drive intersection in Keaʻau.

He was identified through fingerprints as 31-year-old Travis Serquina of Keaʻau.

Police ask anyone who witnessed the crash to call Officer Erhard Autrata at 961-8118. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island wide Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.

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An adult male died following a two vehicle crash Sunday night, May 14, in Keaʻau.

The incident was reported at 8:41 p.m., police determined that a 2003 Mazda sedan was traveling South on Highway 130 at the Shower Drive/Pōhaku Drive intersection when it rear-ended a 1990 Toyota pickup.

The driver of the pickup was taken to Hilo Medical Center and was pronounced dead at 1:58 a.m.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

His name is being withheld pending positive identification and notification of his family.

The driver of the sedan, 26-year-old Keempe Drequito of Keaʻau, fled the scene on foot and was located a short time later and arrested on suspicion of negligent homicide, reckless driving, accident involving death or serious injury and driving under the influence of intoxicants.

He is being held at the Hilo Police Cellblock while Traffic Enforcement Unit officers continue the investigation.

Police ask anyone who witnessed the crash to call Officer Erhard Autrata at 961-8118.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.

This is the 12th traffic fatality this year compared with 10 at this time last year.