Police identify men killed in South Kohala crash

Police identify men killed in South Kohala crash

Big Island police identified the two men who died Sunday from injuries they received in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Kawaihae Road in South Kohala.

The men were identified as Kauaheaheokaua Lactaoen, 19, of Waimea, and Rocky P. Pactol, 18, Honokaa, according to the Hawaii Police Department.

Responding to a 12:16 a.m. call, South Kohala patrol officers determined a 40-year-old Waimea man was operating a 2006 Ford F350 pickup truck and traveling south on Kawaihae Road when it struck a 2000 Honda two-door sedan at the intersection being operated by a 19-year-old Paauilo man. Officers are still trying to determine the travel direction for the Honda, but it appears it may have turned in front of the Ford truck, police said.

Speed and alcohol were factors in the crash, police said.

The two dead men were passengers in the Honda and were ejected after impact. They were not wearing their seat belts, police said.

Fire Department rescue personnel took the Honda driver, one of his passengers, and the Ford truck driver to North Hawaii Community Hospital, where Lactaoen was pronounced dead at 1:02 a.m. and Pactol at 4:23 a.m.

The Honda driver was arrested on suspicion of two counts of negligent homicide, operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug and consuming/possessing intoxicating liquor while operating a motor vehicle. Because he was confined at North Hawaii Community Hospital in stable condition, he was released pending further investigation, police said.

The Ford truck driver was also arrested for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant. He was also released pending investigation. He was treated and released with minor injuries, police said.

Anyone with information about this crash should call Officer Larry Flowers at 326-4646 ext. 229.

By local sources