2 arrested in fatal accident

Honolulu police arrested two men in connection with the death of a pedestrian in the Ala Moana area early yesterday morning.

Police said the pedestrian, a man in his 40s, was crossing makai on Kapiolani Boulevard at Kamakee Street in a crosswalk at about 2:45 a.m. when a white 1994 Nissan sedan hit him with the driver’s side mirror, knocking the man to the ground.

Another car, a two-door 2002 silver Mercedes, then ran over the pedestrian, dragging him to the middle of the road.

The Nissan driver, a 20-year-old Honolulu resident, pulled over to a nearby parking lot.

But the Mercedes fled the scene, police said.

Officers located the Mercedes shortly afterward and arrested the driver, a 25-year-old Honolulu resident.

Police said the driver of the Nissan initially left the scene on foot but later returned.

The victim, who has yet to be identified, was taken to the Queen’s Medical Center in critical condition and died at the hospital.

Alcohol and speed on the part of the Mercedes driver may have been factors, police said. Traffic investigators are still trying to determine the status of the crossing light and the street lights.

Police have opened a negligent homicide investigation.

Body surfer nearly drowns

A 59-year-old Kekaha man was in critical condition at Wilcox Hospital last night after nearly drowning at a beach in Anahola known as "Middles," a Kauai County spokeswoman said.

The man had been body surfing with two family members at about 3:05 p.m. when they decided to swim back in. As they were approaching the beach, a family member noticed that the man was face down in the water and brought him to shore.

Two lifeguards arrived shortly afterward and hooked up the victim to an automated external defibrillator.

Firefighters from the Kapaa station and medics performed advanced life support on the man and took him to Wilcox Hospital by ambulance.