The driver of the bus that crashed in Malifa early this month, causing the death of two passengers and injuring over 30 others, has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges.

Laumoso'oi bus driver, Togamataimoana Vaea, 35, of Siumu entered a not-guilty plea to 37 charges through his lawyer Alex Su’a on Monday this week. He is facing two counts of motor manslaughter, two counts of negligent driving causing death, 31 counts of driving causing injuries, one count of careless driving, and one count of unlicensed vehicle. 

Vaea was driving the Poutasi Falealili wooden bus carrying more than 30 passengers early this month when it crashed into a Hyundai Tucson at Malifa and flipped over on its roof before coming to a halt. 

The defence lawyer sought bail for the defendant who is currently in custody. In response, the chief prosecutor and Attorney General's Office lawyer, Lupematasila Iliganoa Atoa told the court of their opposition to bail on the grounds that the defendant has previous convictions. The matter has been adjourned for a bail hearing. 

The two men who died after sustaining injuries following the crash were aged 64 and 66 respectively. The owner of the Laumoso’oi Transport recently issued a statement apologising to the families of the deceased and those affected by the incident. 

As a result of the incident the bus company that has been in operation for more than 40 years confirmed its decision to halt its service until further notice. 

According to the company's statement, two weeks prior to the fatal bus crash at Malifa, the bus in question underwent maintenance in preparation for a Land Transport Authority (L.T.A.) inspection. 

It said in its statement that on Friday 29 September 2023, the driver advised the company's owners that the bus went through the inspection and was instructed by the L.T.A. to fix some of the minor mechanical issues that were identified during the inspection and go back for a follow-up inspection the following Monday.

"On Friday the bus driver was ordered not to use the bus until the registration has been paid and instructed by L.T.A.," read the statement written in Samoan. "However, we received information on Monday that an accident occurred."

A statement from the Land Transport Authority confirmed the Laumoso’oi bus that serviced the Falealili and Sapunaoa route failed their inspection and was not roadworthy.