Big Island police have arrested the driver of a car involved in a fatal crash in North Kohala for investigation of driving under the influence of an intoxicant, excessive speeding and other charges.

A 24-year-old woman passenger was killed when she was thrown from the 2006 Lexus sedan, which crashed on Akoni Pule Highway, near the 6-mile marker. Police are not identifying her until next of kin are notified.

The driver, identified as 25-year-old Micah N. Thomas of Hawi, was arrested Saturday and released pending further investigation.

Traffic Enforcement Unit supervisor Sgt. Christopher D. Gali said the crash may have occurred late Friday night. Thomas, who was unconscious after the crash, came to early Saturday morning and called for help.

North Kohala police arrived at the scene at 3:57 a.m. and determined that Thomas was driving north on Akoni Pule Highway when he apparently lost control of the car, which crossed the centerline, ran off the left side of the highway and overturned, Gali said.

The woman was not wearing a seat belt.

Thomas was arrested at 1:14 p.m. Saturday after being treated at North Hawai'i Community Hospital.

Police are seeking witnesses to the crash. Anyone with information can call Officer Marvin Troutman at 808-326-4646, ext. 229.

The death is the Big Island's 27th traffic fatality of 2008. There were 35 traffic fatalities on the Big Island at the same time last year.