A man and a woman were seriously injured last night when they were struck by a car in downtown Honolulu.

Police said the two, in their 30s or 40s, were hit by a Mercedes-Benz at the corner of Alakea and Hotel streets fronting the Honolulu District Court building about 9:15 p.m. Both were taken to The Queen's Medical Center in serious condition. The car wound up on the sidewalk.

A man was arrested at the scene and faced charges of negligent injury, driving without a license and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Sai Matau said he was waiting for the bus a block makai of the scene when he saw a red Mercedes speed by.

"We all looked, and the next thing we know we heard the boom. It was loud, like he banged somebody," Matau said.

Another man was at the bus stop near the court building and saw the two being struck.

"The guy came squealing across, boom, he wen' hit the pedestrians and they went flying," said the man, who did not give his name. "I went over to (the female victim) and said, 'Be calm. Help is on the way.' "

Police said the car was new and still had temporary paper license plates.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.