Joseph Aaron Hokin, the alleged drunk driver of a Ford F150 four-door pickup truck that slammed into a power pole in Garapan, left the CNMI on Monday.<\/p>\n
Department of Public Safety acting spokesman Jason Tarkong confirmed with Saipan Tribune yesterday that the 26-year-old Hokin left the Commonwealth to seek medical treatment in the U.S. mainland.<\/p>\n
Tarkong said that Hokin was cited for reckless driving causing bodily injuries, driving under the influence of alcohol, and other traffic violations.<\/p>\n
Tarkong said that Hokin retained a private counsel in the case and that his court appearance will be either in April or May 2015.<\/p>\n
If Hokin fails to show up at the hearing, the Office of the Attorney General may likely request the Superior Court to issue a bench warrant for his arrest.<\/p>\n
On Friday, Tarkong disclosed that Hokin returned to the Commonwealth Health Center two days after the crash due to back pain and was diagnosed with a fractured spine.<\/p>\n
Hokin reportedly refused medical treatment on the day of the crash and was released shortly after arriving at CHC\u2019s emergency room.<\/p>\n
The crash occurred on the southbound shoulder of Beach Road by the intersection of T Galleria and Bank of Guam near the Garapan basketball court in the early morning hours of March 22.<\/p>\n
Jack Steven S. Deleon Guerrero, 22, a firefighter, who was the front seat passenger, reportedly sustained a lacerated right ear, a fractured spine, and is possibly paralyzed from the waist down. As of yesterday, he was still reportedly awaiting medical evacuation to the Philippines for further treatment or surgery.<\/p>\n
Leilani S. Cepeda, 23, also a passenger, sustained bruises on the face and a laceration on the forehead, and was discharged from CHC the day after the incident, police said.<\/p>\n
Traffic investigators have determined that speed and alcohol were factors in the crash.<\/p>\n
The truck had extensive damage on all sides. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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