Hawaii County police have arrested two men in connection with a traffic accident that caused the deaths of two young men last Sunday.
Authorities believe that speed and alcohol played a role in an accident that killed Kauaheaheokaua Lactaoen, 19, and Rocky P. Pactol, 18, near the intersection of Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Kawaihae Road.
Police say that a Ford pickup traveling southbound on Kawaihea Road, struck a Honda, carrying three young me, at the intersection. They believe the Honda turned in front of the truck, though an investigation is still pending.
Lactaoen and Pactol, who were not wearing seat belts, were ejected from the Honda on impact. Lactaoen died on the scene and Pactol died a few hours later in the hospital.
The Honda driver was arrested for two counts of negligent homicide, operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, third degree promotion of a detrimental drug and consuming and possessing intoxicating liquor while operating a motor vehicle.
The driver of the pickup truck was also arrested for intoxicated driving.
Traffic accidents that result in death are all too common. And though money cannot replace a loved one, a settlement obtained by an accident attorney may give the grieving family sense of justice.
For those lucky enough to survive an auto accident they still face very expensive medical costs, losing needed income while they recover. When they hire an accident lawyer they can have the confidence that their expenses won’t have to come out of their own pockets. Accomplished accident attorneys are able to win large settlements, sometimes ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions, on behalf of their clients.
