2 men who died in Wahiawa car crash were soldiers
Two soldiers died in Sunday’s single-vehicle crash in Wahiawa, according to a spokeswoman.
The Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the men as 22-year-old Andrew E. Smith and 21-year-old Michael K. Lane.
Smith and Lane served as specialists with the 40th Quartermaster Company, 524th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 25th Division Sustainment Brigade, 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, according to spokeswoman Maj. Tania Donovan.
“Our thoughts are with their families and friends during this difficult time,” Donovan said.
The crash occurred on Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road at about 1 a.m.
Police said a yellow 2016 Chevrolet Corvette operated by a man later identified as Smith was traveling east on the roadway at a “high rate of speed.”
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The driver lost control of the vehicle and struck a utility pole and then a tree, police said.
Smith and his passenger later identified as Lane were pronounced dead at the scene.
The medical examiner’s office said both men died of multiple blunt force injuries in the crash. The manner of death was classified as an accident.
Police said speed was a factor.
This is the 45th and 46th traffic-related fatalities on Oahu compared to 45 at the same time last year.
