Racing may have been factor in accident

By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

One person was in critical condition yesterday and five others narrowly escaped serious injury after a speeding car went airborne near Waipahu on Kamehameha Highway and landed in a ravine.

Police said the car, a gray, 2003 Nissan, was driven by a 17-year-old Honolulu boy. His passengers included a 16-year-old Honolulu boy in the front seat, a 23-year-old Waipahu woman in the back seat and three 15-year-old girls, including one from Honolulu and one from Waipahu, also in the back seat. Police were uncertain where the third 15-year-old lived.

The car was speeding south along Kamehameha Highway shortly after midnight in the far west lane, police said. Witnesses reported the Nissan may have been racing with another car.

About one-tenth of a mile north of Waipahu Street, the driver lost control, veered across four lanes toward the eastern shoulder of Kamehameha Highway, struck a wall alongside the road and vaulted over it.

The car landed at the bottom of a ravine.

Paramedics took three people, including the driver, to St. Francis Medical Center West. All were in good condition.

The other three were taken to The Queen's Medical Center. One was in critical condition, the other two were in good condition.

Police did not say which passenger was in critical condition, but said last night there had been no deaths in the case. Police have not determined if alcohol was involved.

Reach Karen Blakeman at 535-2430 or at kblakeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.