Bakersfield man arrested in Highway 166 crash that killed two kids

A Bakersfield man was arrested on suspicion of DUI after a two-car crash on Highway 166 left two children dead Monday, according to the CHP.

Jerald B. Holman, 36, was driving a 2008 Toyota Camry west on Highway 166 when he veered into oncoming traffic, CHP public information officer David Medina said.

The Toyota drifted into the eastbound lane after taking a curve at a “rapid speed,” the CHP said. “Holman jerked the steering wheel to the right in order to correct the Toyota, then almost immediately swerved to the left.”

The car crossed directly into the path of a 2013 Chevrolet. That car’s driver, 30-year-old Aaron Pyne of Yucaipa, hit the brakes hard and tried to swerve to the left to avoid a collision, according to the CHP.

The Chevrolet hit the left rear of the Toyota and the Toyota went airborne, rolling several times. The rear passenger compartment separated from the front passenger and engine compartment of the car, the CHP said.

Two children in the back of the Toyota, a 7-year-old boy and his 4-year-old sister, were ejected from the vehicle and declared dead at the scene, the CHP said.

Witnesses to the collision stopped to render aid and CPR to the children, authorities said.

The front section of the Toyota came to rest on its roof.

Holman was transported to Marian Regional Medical Center with minor injuries.

An adult passenger in the Toyota, Todeshia Lewis, 26, of Bakersfield, had minor injuries, according to the CHP.

Pyne and his three passengers were all transported by helicopter to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, with moderate or minor injuries.

Katherine Pyne, 31, had minor injuries. Two children, a 9-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl, had ankle fractures, the CHP said.

CHP officials said Tuesday that alcohol appeared to be a factor in the collision, and Holman was arrested after his release from the hospital.

Authorities plan to pursue felony driving under the influence charges, Medina said.

Holman remained in custody on $110,000 bail as of Tuesday afternoon.

The deceased children’s names weren’t released Tuesday, pending notification of next of kin by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office.

This story was originally published September 6, 2016 at 4:13 PM with the headline "Bakersfield man arrested in Highway 166 crash that killed two kids."