2 dead after SUV loses control, strikes 4 pedestrians in Honolulu parking lot

SUV strikes 4 people in Honolulu, leaving 2 dead

HONOLULU — Authorities say an out-of-control sport utility vehicle struck four people in a Honolulu parking lot Thursday, leaving two of them dead.

Police say the two men, ages 68 and 77, were pinned under the SUV and were pronounced dead after being taken to The Queen’s Medical Center. Another victim was hospitalized in stable condition, while the fourth was treated at the scene and released.

The accident happened Thursday in a restaurant parking lot.

Lt. David Nilsen says the driver, a 65-year-old man from Kaneohe, was arrested on suspicion of two counts of negligent homicide.

Witness Jeff Curry told KHON-TV the SUV had been modified for a driver with a disability. He said the driver wasn’t familiar with how the brake or acceleration pedals had been altered.

Curry says the vehicle charged forward, hit a group of people and dragged two of them underneath.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

HONOLULU (AP) — Authorities say a sport utility vehicle that went out of control in a Honolulu parking lot struck four people, leaving two of them dead.

Two men who were pinned under the SUV were pronounced dead after being taken to The Queen’s Medical Center. Another victim was hospitalized in stable condition, while the fourth was treated at the scene and released.

Authorities say the accident happened Thursday in a restaurant parking lot.

A restaurant worker told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that the victims were among a group of 21 people who meet for lunch four times a year. Witnesses said the SUV, which had been modified for a driver with a disability, was being driven by someone other than the owner.

Police Lt. David Nilsen says authorities will confiscate the vehicle and investigate for vehicular or human error.