Pearlridge, Kane'ohe accidents kill two men

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

A pedestrian struck by a car Tuesday night in Pearlridge and a motorcyclist who crashed early yesterday in Kane'ohe have died.

The medical examiner's office yesterday identified the pedestrian as Steven Tanaka, 52, of Pearl City, and the motorcyclist as Jeffrey Carvalho, 23, of Waimanalo.

Vehicular homicide investigators said Tanaka was hit by a 1996 Honda Civic at 9 p.m. Tuesday while crossing Kamehameha Highway near Pali Momi Street. He was was not in a crosswalk, the investigators said.

Tanaka died at The Queen's Medical Center at 11:45 p.m. Tuesday.

The driver of the Honda, a 72-year-old man from 'Aiea, was not injured.

Carvalho was in a 2:37 a.m. crash yesterday on Kahekili Highway near Kea'ahala Road.

He died at the scene.

Carvalho was speeding when he lost control of his 2001 Yamaha, police said. He was thrown from the motorcycle when it struck a barrier.

He was wearing a safety helmet, police said.

The section of Kahekili Highway where the crash occurred was closed until 6:07 a.m.

With the two deaths, O'ahu's traffic fatality count for the year climbed to 10, one more than at this time last year.

Five pedestrians and two motorcyclists have accounted for seven of the 10 fatalities.

Reach Rod Ohira at 535-8181 or rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.