According to Department of Public Safety acting spokesman Jason T. Tarkong, police and fire officers responded to an auto-auto accident involving multiple injuries at about 11:56 p.m. by H-Mart, Chalan Laulau on Aug. 2.
Tarkong said that responding police officers saw a 2006 white Mazda sedan with extensive damages to the rear portion was resting on the northbound lane and right shoulder of the road. He said that the other car involved, a 2006 Blue Toyota Rav 4 had extensive damages to the front right portion and was resting at a nearby intersection.
Police learned that the three occupants in each of the two cars involved were all injured and transported to the Commonwealth Health Center for treatment.
Tarkong said that investigations disclosed that the Blue Toyota Rav 4 operated by Mark O. Rabauliman caused the accident by rear ending the white Mazda sedan.
He said that alcohol was detected on Rabauliman’s breath. Tarkong added that Rabauliman submitted to a breathalyzer test and the blood alcohol content results showed .142 which is over the .08 legal limit in the CNMI.
Tarkong said that the white Mazda sedan was operated by a 47-year old female who sustained injuries on her forehead and complained of difficulty of breathing and numbness on her left arm.
The other two passengers of the Mazda sedan were a 44-year old man who complained of pain to both shoulders and lower left leg, and a 46-year old female who sustained injuries on her forehead, and complained of pain to her back, neck, left arm, right shoulder, and chest area.
Rabauliman’s passengers at the Rav 4 were a 37-year old male who sustained laceration to his scalp and complained of pain in his lower back, and a 44-year old male who complained of pain in his chest and neck. All the victims were treated and later released.
Rabauliman sustained laceration to his lower lip. He was treated but after being discharged from the hospital, he was arrested and transported to the DPS.
Tarkong said Rabauliman was cited and charged for several traffic violations to include Reckless Driving and Driving under the Influence.
He was later escorted to the Department of Corrections where he was booked and detained.
Tarkong said that based on the investigation, alcohol was a factor in the crash and speed has not been ruled out.
