STAR-BULLETIN
This Nissan Altima was involved in a crash that injured six people. Police say the driver was speeding when he lost control.
Leeward
car plunge
hurts 6A witness tells police that the
driver of the car was racing
An accident early yesterday that sent a car into a ravine on Kamehameha Highway, injuring five teenagers and a 23-year-old woman, may have been caused by racing.
The accident happened about 12:18 a.m., when the 17-year-old driver of a four-door 2003 Nissan Altima with five passengers was headed south on Kamehameha near Waipahu Street.
Police said the driver was speeding when he lost control of the car in the lane closest to the west shoulder. The car crossed the highway to the east shoulder, where it struck and vaulted over a wall and crashed to the bottom of the ravine.
A witness told police that the driver of the car was racing when the accident occurred.
At least one passenger was in critical condition and taken to the Queen's Medical Center, police said. Two other occupants who were also taken to Queen's were listed in good condition.
The three remaining occupants were listed in good condition and taken to St. Francis Medical Center.
The names of the driver and passengers were not released. Police said there was a 16-year-old boy from Honolulu in the front passenger seat and three 15-year-old girls in the back seat. A 23-year-old woman was also in the back seat.
Traffic investigators have not determined whether alcohol was a factor in the accident.
