A man who caused the death of a passenger by driving his truck carelessly was lucky to have escaped spending time in prison. Mika Tulaga was fined $7,000 and given two days to pay the amount.

Tulaga appeared in the Supreme Court for sentencing on Thursday after pleading guilty to the charge of negligent driving causing death.

Tulaga was charged in 2022 for the death of an 18-year-old man from Afega. The deceased and the defendant were working together.

In delivering his sentence, Senior Judge Justice Vui Clarence Nelson said the monetary fine given to the defendant was a sign that the court does not condone such offences and he described Tulagaa's actions as "a very bad choice on the road."

According to the summary of facts, the accident occurred at Fiaga Street in Aleisa on 30 September 2022.

Tulaga was driving a Toyota Hilux belonging to his stepfather's lawnmower company. The deceased and three other employees were in the vehicle.

The victim was sitting in the truck's tray when the accident occurred. The deceased had jumped out of the truck when the accident happened.

It was reported that Tulaga drove carelessly through the two curves at Fiaga Street causing the accident as he couldn't control the vehicle.

Justice Vui in his sentence told Tulaga that the way he drove the truck was careless and he made some bad choices on the road.

He was told to pay $3500 for the charge of careless driving causing death, $1000 for police costs, another $250 for probation and $250 for court costs.

Mr Tulaga was also told to pay $2000 to the mother of the victim,  a total of $7000 to be paid in full on Friday this week.

Justice Vui also told the defendant to surrender his driver's license to the Court Registrar and he will not be allowed to drive any vehicle until further notice.

Representing the defendant was Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio while Fetu Lagaaia was the assigned prosecutor for this matter.