Police yesterday arrested a 37-year-old Waialua man in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of David Wayne Aldridge II on July 22.

Arnel Ulep Abuluyan, of 66-956 'Oliana St., was arrested at 2:30 p.m. yesterday on suspicion of failure to render aid in the death of Aldridge, 18. Abuluyan was being held at the main police station cellblock.

Police seized a white GMC Savannah van with front-end damage owned by Abbey Carpet & Floors from Kuroda Auto Body in Waipi'o as evidence. Abuluyan is employed by the carpet company.

Police said a tip led to the arrest.

Last night, Abuluyan's family said that he is single and lives at home at the 'Oliana Street address with his mother and a sister.

Arnel Abuluyan came to Hawai'i from the Philippines in 1983, his sister Evelyn said. She lives in San Jose, Calif., and is in Hawai'i visiting, she said.

"I was a little shook," when the police came and arrested him, she said late last night.

His sister Verlita said that Arnel Abuluyan works for Abbey Carpet installing carpet. His sister Evelyn said he drives a white van for the company.

Aldridge was riding his bicycle home after work along Kamehameha Highway near the Dole Plantation when a speeding vehicle veered onto the shoulder and struck him at around 1:35 a.m.

A passing motorist spotted Aldridge in the grass next to the highway and contacted authorities.

The young man was first taken to Wahiawa General Hospital in critical condition.

He was later transferred to The Queen's Medical Center, where he died at around 5 a.m.

Aldridge's death led to an outpouring of community reaction, with a reward offered for information leading to an arrest and a fund created to assist the family.

After the wreck, Aldridge's family and police put out a public appeal for information into the incident.

Police issued a description of a suspect vehicle, but it was said to be a red GMC truck with lights on top.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

A memorial service for Aldridge, who wanted to attend college in Germany and become an entrepreneur, was held Tuesday at Schofield Barracks. Burial was to be in Jeffersonville, Ind.

A Leilehua High School graduate, Aldridge was described by friends and family as fun-loving and outgoing. His father, Army Staff Sgt. David Aldridge, said his friends nicknamed his son "McLovin'."

Many who knew the younger Aldridge expressed shock and sorrow that the young man's life ended suddenly just as it was set to take off.

STRUCK RIDING HOME

The manager of a Burger King restaurant where Aldridge had been employed for several months as a food service worker said Aldridge worked the 4 to 10:30 p.m. shift, and then would ride his bicycle to the Helemano Military Reservation where his family lived on A Pono Court.

The elder Aldridge, who has been deployed twice to Iraq, was on an Army training mission in Texas when his son was struck and killed.

He returned home early the next day to be with his wife, Susanne, and the couple's 3-year-old daughter, Destiny.

Attempts to reach him last night were unsuccessful.

Reach Kelli Miura at 535-2467 or kmmiura@honoluluadvertiser.com.