"Stupid reckless driving" caused death of other driver [1]
Monday, March 22, 2004 - 16:48. Updated on Sunday, May 11, 2014 - 11:01.
Rodney Katoa Holani 22, was given a two year suspended sentence and banned from driving for three years, by Chief Justice Gordon Ward at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court on March 3 for reckless driving which resulted in the death of Pauline Fatongia Fineanganofo (48).
Counsel, Vaha'i Foliaki who represented Holani, told the court that about mid-day on 7 October 2002, the defendant was driving a three-tonnes truck loaded with 20 sacks of talo, westward along Hala Taufa'ahau toward Nuku'alofa. Near the University of the South Pacific Extension Centre, 'Atele, the defendant overtook two vehicles and was travelling at about 55-60 kph on the right side of the road. Further down the road on the left-hand side of the road was a minibus, which at first appeared to be stationary but as he came closer it started moving slowly in the same direction as he was travelling.
Holani told the court that he remained on the right-hand side of the road with the intention of passing the minibus, but about 40 feet away from the minibus, it suddenly made a U-turn and the two vehicles crashed head-on, at the right hand side of the road.
Chief Justice Ward, in passing the sentence referred to the accident as, "a case of stupid reckless driving."
In addition to the two year suspended sentence, Chief Justice Ward banned Holani from driving for three years.