A 33-year-old Waiahole man was arrested on suspicion of negligent homicide and suspicion of drunken driving in connection with the death of a woman passenger in his Dodge Durango, which crashed early yesterday in Kahalu'u.

The medical examiner's office identified the woman as Marilyn Richard, 31.

The driver of the SUV was treated for minor injuries at Castle Medical Center before being booked at 6:48 a.m. at the Kailua police substation for first-degree negligent homicide and operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant. He was transferred to the main police station's central receiving cellblock at 2 p.m. and released pending further investigation.

Richard was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash was on Kamehameha Highway, 160 feet north of Old Kamehameha Highway near the entrance to a 7-Eleven store parking lot at 47-515 Kamehameha Highway.

Police vehicular homicide lead investigator Sgt. Michael Brede said speed and alcohol appear to be contributing factors. It was O'ahu's 88th traffic fatality of the year.

Brede said the Durango was traveling north when it veered off the highway, hit a guardrail and flipped over at 4:35 a.m.

Kane'ohe District patrol Lt. Dan Quon said the driver may have fallen asleep.

About 20 feet to the right of the bushes where the Durango rolled are four gas pumps. None was hit by debris.

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.