A 37-year-old Waialua man arrested in connection with the hit-and-run death of a bicyclist told his boss that he was under the influence when he was driving a company van at the time of the accident, police said.

Arnel Ulep Abuluyan, a carpet installer, told his supervisor on July 22, the morning he got into a wreck in his white work van, that he had been drinking and couldn't remember what happened.

Abuluyan was arrested Aug. 2 on suspicion of negligent homicide and leaving the scene of an accident after police interviewed his supervisor, who told them Abuluyan admitted drinking before the accident.

Police interviewed another witness who drank with Abuluyan at Nancy's bar in Waipi'o from about 6 to 7 p.m. on July 21, police said.

Based on his statements to his supervisor and the damage to the front end of the vehicle, police suspect alcohol and speed were factors.

Paul J. Cunney, Abuluyan's attorney, said his client did not give a statement to police.

Abuluyan was suspended by his employer, Abbey Carpet & Floors, from July 22 to 29, Cunney said.

"He was very distraught and distressed. He does not remember the accident whatsoever. It's not like he saw the kid, hit him and took off. He didn't see the damage until he got home," Cunney said. "When he got home he saw the damage to the headlight and reported it to his boss (when he went to work)."

Abuluyan was arrested Saturday at his home and was released pending further investigation.

David Wayne Aldridge II, 18, died after a vehicle hit him as he was bicycling home along Kamehameha Highway at about 1:35 a.m. on July 22.

Abuluyan was released after being held at the main police station cellblock for about 46 hours. By law, a suspect can be held for no more than 48 hours without being charged.

Vehicular homicide investigations are complicated, and sometimes it takes months to indict a suspect, authorities said.

POLICE OK'D REPAIRS

Roy Tokuhama, owner of Abbey Carpet & Floors, declined comment yesterday. But in a previous interview, he said his business reported the damaged van to police, and that no one at Abbey suspected that the van had been involved in an accident with a person.

The business only sent the truck for repairs after police gave permission, Tokuhama said previously.

Dean E. Ochiai, an attorney representing Abbey Carpet & Floors, said his client reports all accidents that "could affect their coverage."

"They made a 911 call to police on July 22 as soon as they discovered that there was damage to the van. A police officer came out, took a look at the van and then told Abbey Carpet, 'This is not the one. We're looking for a red vehicle.' Nobody was trying to hide anything," Ochiai said. "That officer didn't link it up to their other investigation. The same officer was out at my client's place (Tuesday) doing a follow-up report."

NO WRITTEN REPORT

Police officials yesterday did not reply to a request for comment on Ochiai's statements.

After the police told the company their damaged van was not the vehicle being sought, the company took it to Kuroda Auto Body in Waipi'o for repairs.

"The way the damage was, it didn't appear to be a pedestrian type (collision)," said Roland Kuroda, who owns Kuroda Auto Body.

Police said previously they have a record that a 911 call was made and that a beat officer was sent to Abbey Carpet, but they don't have a written police report.