3 men injured as vehicle jumps Waikiki curb

Three maintenance workers were smoking some 20 feet from the entrance of Lu Lu's Waikiki Surf Club yesterday when a sport utility vehicle jumped the curb and slammed into them, pinning two.

"Out of nowhere, you got a vehicle on top of two guys," said their employer, Fred Waller.

The three men, new employees of cleaning company Green Thumbin', were waiting to go in to clean the bar. They hadn't even received their first paycheck before yesterday's accident, Waller said.

"It's very unfortunate," Waller said. "It's shocking, surprising, and I just hope they and their families get through this. I'll do whatever I can to help the family."

Police arrested the 30-year-old driver of the SUV, John Buchanan of Kaimuki, and later charged him with driving under the influence of alcohol and negligent injury, both misdemeanors. Police said he posted $1,500 bail. He was also arrested for allegedly driving without a license.

Police said he had no prior arrests, but court records show he had been cited for eight traffic infractions.

Two of the victims, ages 23 and 32, were pinned beneath the vehicle and remained hospitalized last night in serious condition.

The third man, 22, who flew backward up to 20 feet from the impact, was initially in stable condition and was released. All three were taken to the Queen's Medical Center.

Police said the man was driving a 2006 SUV eastbound on Kalakaua Avenue at 3:59 a.m. when he hit a sidewalk and jumped the curb fronting the bar. Honolulu Fire Department personnel lifted the vehicle off the men.

Waller said the men may have just moved from the Marshall Islands and just joined the company last week.

"I've been just trying out a few guys, and these guys haven't even worked that many shifts," said Waller.