Two women died in the car crash along Kalaniana’ole Highway Saturday night. Michelle Benevedes, age 39, and Racquel Akau, age 38, were turning from Inoa’ole Street in a 1990 Honda Accord when they were hit by a 1997 Ford Explorer SUV.
Both women, who were cousins, died at the scene. The SUV had two 17-year-olds in it. Both tried to flee from police following the accident. One was apprehended and the other was arrested later. Witnesses say police cars were chasing the SUV before the accident, but police deny that. The Honolulu Police Department believes that alcohol and speed were both factors in the accident.
