Man indicted in fiery Puna crash

A Hilo grand jury has indicted a 26-year-old Keaau man for a hit-and-run collision on May 14 in which the victim died trying to escape the fiery wreckage.

The five-count indictment returned May 24 charges Keempe Obra Drequito with manslaughter, first-degree negligent homicide, leaving the scene of a fatal accident and reckless driving.

Police say Drequito was driving a 2003 Mazda sedan south on Keaau-Pahoa Highway (Highway 130) that rear-ended a 1990 Toyota pickup driven by 31-year-old Travis Serquina of Keaau at the Shower Drive/Pohaku Drive intersection at about 8:40 p.m.

The collision caused Serquina’s truck to burst into flames. Bystanders attempted to extinguish the fire and pull Serquina from the wreckage, but were unable to do so. Serquina died at the scene.

Police say Drequito, who was cited five times for speeding or driving too fast for conditions between 2010 and 2015, fled the scene on foot. He was located a short time later at his home, where he arrested on suspicion of negligent homicide.

The collision closed Highway 130, the main artery in and out of lower Puna, for almost eight hours.

Drequito is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Thursday in Hilo District Court, but the indictment renders the hearing unnecessary and moves the case to Hilo Circuit Court.

Manslaughter is a Class A felony that carries a possible 20-year prison term upon conviction, while first-degree negligent homicide is a Class B felony that carries a maximum 10-year prison term. Drequito cannot be convicted of both charges.

Leaving the scene of a fatal accident also is a Class B felony, while reckless driving is a petty misdemeanor carrying a potential 30-day jail term.

Drequito is in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center in lieu of $286,000 bail.

Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.