A teen driver who killed two women in a high-speed car accident last year in Waimanalo pleaded guilty this morning to two counts of negligent homicide.

Tyler N. Duarte was a 17-year-old juvenile when the crime occurred Jan. 20, 2007, but Family Court Judge Frances Wong waived jurisdiction in the case and ordered the defendant, now 18, to be tried as an adult.

Prosecutor Sheila Nitta said Duarte lost control of a Ford SUV and crashed into a vehicle carrying Michelle Benevedes, 39, and Racquel Akau, 38, killing both women.

Witnesses estimated that Duarte's vehicle was traveling between 80 mph and 90 mph on Kalaniana'ole Highway when it struck the other vehicle at 9:49 p.m. at the intersection of Inoa'ole Street.

Blood tests showed the presence of cocaine, alcohol and marijuana in Duarte's system, Nitta said.

In court today, Duarte also admitted fleeing the scene of the accident, a class B felony offense that carries the same maximum prison term, 10 years, as each count of negligent homicide.

Duarte will be sentenced by Wong Oct. 2.

Defense attorney Donald Wilkerson declined to discuss the case outside court.