Two people have lost their lives on the roads in the past week. The incidents have led the police to ask the public to stay vigilant on roads and follow the rules.

The drivers from the separate incidents were charged and placed in custody.

Police reported the first incident was a hit and run case from Fasitoo-uta on Saturday 21 September. 

The deceased is a 25-year-old pedestrian who died four days later at the Moto’otua National Hospital. It is believed that the deceased in this case was a seasonal worker who had just returned home.

The second single car crash occurred at Luatuanuu on Saturday last week and resulted in the death of a 37-year-old man from the same village and other passengers were injured. 

Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo confirmed the drivers in both incidents have been charged with negligent driving causing death. 

The driver in Fasitoo-uta is a 30-year-old man who fled the scene and was captured after a police investigation and information gathered from eyewitness accounts who assisted in identifying the suspect. 

He is charged with negligent driving causing death, failure to report the accident to the police and being an unlicensed driver. 

The driver from the Luatunuu case is a 53-year-old and is the relative of the deceased. He was charged with negligent driving causing death and causing injury to several other passengers. 

Both defendants are in custody pending their court appearance on 7 October. 

Police are again reminding the public that if they are not licensed to operate a motor vehicle, they should refrain from doing so. Police are concerned that unlicensed driving makes for the highest number of traffic offences.

Police are urging the public to follow the law.