UPDATE: Police Release Names of Crash Victims

Two men died and two others were injured in a crash early Sunday at the intersection of Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway and Kawaihae Road.

Capt. Sean Sommers of the South Kohala Fire Station said paramedics arriving at the scene following a 12:16 a.m. call found that a 2000 Honda two-door sedan had collided with a 2006 Ford F350 pickup truck.

Police said today that the pickup truck was traveling from the direction of Kawaihae on the Kawaihae Road when it struck the Honda. Sgt. Christopher Gali said that police are still trying to determine the circumstances, but that it appeared the Honda may have turned in front of the truck.

The sedan’s two passengers were ejected from the vehicle. One was dead at the scene and the other died from his injuries at North Hawaii Community Hospital.

Police today identified the fatalities as Kauaheaheokaua Lactaoen, 19, of Waimea and Rocky P. Pactol, 18, of Honoka‘a.

The drivers of both vehicles were also taken to the Waimea hospital for treatment.

Police said today that the driver of the Honda, 19-year-old Destin I. Baquiring of Pa‘auilo, was arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, two counts of negligent homicide, consuming or possessing intoxicating liquor while operating a vehicle and third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug.

Ronald Ramsey Hawyard, 40, of Waimea, the driver of the pickup who was treated at the hospital for minor injuries and released, was also arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant.

In addition to alcohol, police believe speed was also a factor in the collision.

Autopsies have been ordered to determine the exact causes of death of the two Honda passengers.

The crash brought the number of fatalities on public Big Island roads to 13 for the year, compared to eight at this point in 2011.