The island's 18th pedestrian fatality occurred near 'A'ala Park when a 50-year-old man was run over by a city bus at 1:35 p.m., 12.5 hours after a 23-year-old Army man stationed at Schofield was killed in an early-morning motorcycle crash on the H-2 Freeway, the 12th motorcycle-related death this year.

By comparison, there were 20 pedestrian and nine motorcycle deaths in 2006, when O'ahu had 90 total traffic fatalities.

The current motorcycle fatality count matches the five-year high of 12 in 2005.

Statewide, the totals as of today are four motorcycle and three pedestrian deaths on the Big Island; three motorcycle and two pedestrian deaths on Maui, and two motorcycle and no pedestrian fatalities on Kaua'i.

The Honolulu Medical Examiner's office today was not ready to release identities of the victims.

Police vehicular homicide investigator Sgt. Alan Vegas said the pedestrian killed apparently fell off the curb and into the path of the city bus on North King Street, 96 feet west of North Beretania Street. The man was taken to The Queen's Medical Center in extremely critical condition and pronounced dead at 2:10 p.m., Vegas said.

The 60-year-old male driver and bus passengers were not injured.

Police closed two lanes on North King Street in the area of the accident for two hours.

Kenneth Hong, O'ahu Transit senior vice president and assistant general manager, said bus officials are conducting an internal investigation into the incident involving the Route 1 bus to East Honolulu.

Based on preliminary witness statements, it appears the victim slipped off the curb or fell while bending over to pick up something, Hong said.

"It's a tragedy and we feel bad for the families, especially because it's holiday time," Hong said.

The bus driver has been an O'ahu Transit employee since 1994, said Hong.

Speed, meanwhile, appears to be a factor in the motorcycle crash that claimed the life of the Schofield man, according to vehicular homicide investigator Sgt. John Agno.

The 1 a.m. crash on the H-2 Freeway, south of the Wai'anae offramp, involved a 2005 Honda CBR600 and an operator who was not wearing a helmet, said Agno.

The southbound motorcyclist lost control of the Honda, struck a guardrail on his right, spun out and hit another guardrail, a large rock and light pole. He suffered head, leg and abdominal injuries and died at Kapi'olani Medical Center at Pali Momi.