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Two killed in crash caused by drunk driver

By Marisa Yamane

The Miles family of Waianae was heading home when a drunk driver crossed the center line and plowed into their car.

Three-year old Koapaka Miles was killed.

The crash happened last night around 10:30 on Farrington Highway near Hakimo Road in Nanakuli.

The driver of the pickup truck that hit the Miles family car was also killed.

Sources say his blood alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit.

The pickup truck came to rest upside down after bouncing like a ping pong ball from one side of the highway to the next.

"My stepdaughter and I was out on our porch, and we heard a loud bang," said witness Carolann Stanley.

Police say the truck had been speeding Honolulu bound on Farrington Highway, when it lost control.

The truck hit this oncoming car -- carrying the Miles family of Waianae.

"She was calling for her baby, and it's sad really sad," said Stanley.

Three-year old Koapaka Miles was thrown from the car and died at the hospital.

Police say he was in a child seat but they're not sure if he was buckled in.

Koapaka's parents Kamuela and Erica Miles, his one-year old sister, and another passenger were also taken to the hospital, but with non-life threatening injuries.

"Koapaka was a rambunctious kid, fun, enjoyed life enjoyed hanging out with his family," said Pastor Bryan Wittekind, Waianae Baptist Church.

Meanwhile, the driver of the pick-up truck, 27-year old Sanford Valdez of Waianae, also died.

Police say he was thrown from the truck, and that he wasn't wearing his seatbelt.

Sources say the blood alcohol content of Valdez was 0.169 -- more than twice the legal limit.

His passenger was treated and released from the hospital.

As for the Miles family...

"It would be nice if the community lift them up in prayer," said Wittekind.

...this is their second tragedy this week.

On Tuesday, Koapaka's grandfather Austin Miles died following a heart attack.

"Everywhere you saw grandpa, you saw Koapaka. They were together, like peas in a pod," said Wittekind.

According to family friends, after learning about his grandfather's death, Koapaka said he wanted to be with him up in heaven.

"It's a tragedy to see this happen but we know the Lord, he's with the Lord, both of them are, and together and the family is finding comfort in that," said Wittekind.

Of the five people who were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, only one remains in the hospital -- Koapaka's mother Erica.

Officials say she's in fair condition.

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