An accident that killed two men Sunday in South Kohala has resulted in the arrest of both drivers involved in the crash.
Hawaii County police said speeding and alcohol were factors in the accident that killed Kauaheaheokaua Lactaoen, 19, of Kamuela and Rocky P. Pactol, 18, of Honokaa just after midnight Sunday near the intersection of Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Kawaihae Road.
The two men were passengers in a 2000 Honda two-door sedan driven by a 19-year-old Paauilo man.
South Kohala patrol officers said a 40-year-old Kamuela man driving a 2006 Ford F350 pickup truck south on Kawaihae Road hit the Honda at the intersection. The two passengers in the Honda were ejected from the sedan. They were not wearing seat belts.
Police were trying to determine the direction of travel for the Honda but said it appears it may have turned in front of the Ford truck.
Fire Department rescue personnel took the driver of the Honda, one of his passengers and the driver of the Ford truck to North Hawaii Community Hospital.
Fire officials said Lactaoen died at the scene and was pronounced dead at 1:02 a.m. Pactol died at 4:23 a.m.
Police arrested the driver of the Honda on Sunday on suspicion of two counts of negligent homicide, operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug and consuming and possessing intoxicating liquor while operating a motor vehicle.
He was in stable condition and released from police custody pending further investigation.
The driver of the Ford truck also was arrested Sunday on suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant. He was released pending investigation, and was treated for minor injuries and released from the hospital.
An autopsy will be conducted.
These are the 13th and 14th fatalities on Hawaii island this year, compared with eight at this time last year.
