Driver returns to hospital; found with fractured spine

The alleged drunk driver of a gray Ford F150 four-door pickup truck that slammed into a power pole in Garapan returned to the hospital two days after the crash for back pain, while his front passenger, a firefighter, is awaiting medical evacuation to the Philippines.

Department of Public Safety acting spokesman Jason Tarkong said that Joseph Aaron Hokin, the 26-year-old driver, returned to the Commonwealth Health Center two days after the crash due to back pain and was diagnosed with a fractured spine.

Hokin reportedly refused medical treatment on the day of the crash and was released shortly after arriving at the hospital’s emergency room.

Tarkong said Jack Steven S. Deleon Guerrero, 22, the passenger on the front seat, suffered a laceration to his right ear, a fractured spine, and is possibly paralyzed from the waist down.

Tarkong said that, as of Friday, Deleon Guerrero was awaiting medical evacuation to the Philippines for further treatment or surgery.

Tarkong said that Leilani S. Cepeda, 23, also a passenger, sustained bruises on the face and a laceration on her forehead, and was discharged from the hospital the day after the incident.

Traffic investigators have determined that speed and alcohol were factors in the car crash that 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.

Police Sgt. Tom Blas earlier stated that Hokin was cited for speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving, and for seatbelt violations.

Blas said Hokin, Deleon Guerrero, and Cepeda were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident.

Police investigation showed that Police Officer Raymond Pangelinan called DPS Central Dispatch last March 22 at 3:12am, to report the car crash.

Medics and police responded to the scene.

According to at-scene investigator Juan Mendiola, the Ford F150 pickup truck was traveling south on Beach Road, Garapan. Witnesses saw the truck travelling at a high rate of speed. As the truck approached the traffic signal light intersection, it somehow lost control, hit a steel post, went off the road and struck a power pole, eventually coming to rest on the southbound shoulder.

Blas said the truck had extensive damage on all sides.