Fatal crash

Lolomana’ia Soakai, 27, was killed on June 2022 after a vehicle struck him.

Kaniva Tonga News reports Lolomana’ia’s mother, Lavina Soakai broke her back in the accident.

Family members Ina Lavalu and Daniela Fifita, and a friend, Sam Finau, were also injured.

The East Bay family and others were waiting for food outside a popular burrito truck when the fatal incident happened.

Lapuaho was a passenger in a car which struck a power pole.

Police said the car was heading to town when it swerved and crashed.

Kaniva News reports the driver was injured and is now in Police custody after receiving medical treatment at Vaiola Hospital.

Police also said early indications are that speed, alcohol and illicit drugs are factors in the crash.

Police were yet to release Lapuaho’s name, but friends have posted tributes to the young man on social media.

“I’m lost for words right now bro,” one said.

Sitiveni Fungavaka was driving his car which was hit by another car driven by a 21-year-old man on Hala Tahi Road at Talafo’ou on Sunday.

Fungavaka’s wife, Sitela died from injuries sustained in the accident.

According to a Kaniva News report, Fungavaka was unharmed.

The 21-year-old suspect has been arrested and charged with reckless driving causing death.

The two passengers who were with the accused sustained serious injuries and were taken to the hospital.

Photo Kaniva News/Sitiveni Takai (Facebook)

The suspect has been charged with reckless driving causing death.

According to a Police report, the accused was driving a car along Hala Tahi at Talafoóu and he lost control of it.

As the driver swerved the car it hit an oncoming vehicle.

The 76-year-old deceased who was a passenger in the oncoming vehicle died at Vaiola Hospital.  

Two other passengers who were in the same vehicle as the accused sustained serious injuries and were taken to the hospital.

This is the 6th road fatality for this year.

The deceased who was the driver had two other passengers in his vehicle that crashed into the Ha'pai High School fence at around 8:40 am on Sunday.

The two other passengers sustained minor injuries and are recovering at the Fusipala Hospital.

This is the 5th road fatality for this year.

Police have confirmed in a statement that alcohol and speeding were contributing factors to the crash.

Investigations are continuing.

Photo source Kaniva News/ Sela Sausini Telefoni

The victims are 24 year- old Ulaea To’i Moana Folau of Leimatu’a, 20 year-old ‘Anitelu Katoa of Leimatu’a and 17 year-old Kasete Latu of Hunga/Makave.

The 26 year old driver and eight other passengers from Leimatu’a aged between 19 to 26 years-old sustained injuries to their bodies.

Police said the group was travelling in a double-cap van on their way back to Neiafu from Ī ‘o Mata’aho, a historical side where they were drinking alcohol when the driver lost control of the vehicle at an area where the road is very steep.

Kaniva News reports the sentencing came after the court found Siosaia Fonua, 30, was driving under influence (DUI) at the time he killed a man with a vehicle in Sarasota.

He was sentenced by Judge James Stroker for his involvement in a 2012 fatal crash in which he fled the scene with a broken hip and hid. Residents turned him in 45 minutes later, according to States of Florida media.