A male driver has been charged for reckless driving causing the death of 21 year old male, ‘Esilani Latu from Nakolo, on 3 December 2024.
The accused driver, a male, whom police did not name, is a New Zealand resident who is currently in Tonga.
Police found the body of ‘Esilani Latu on Hala Liku between Nakolo and Fua’amotu, in Hahake.
The autopsy report confirmed that the young man was run over by a car, and this was determined to be the cause of death.
“Misleading” video
Lead investigator and Chief Police at Mu’a police station, Saimone Fifita, told Matangi Tonga today that a video on social media, that users claimed to be related to this case, was “false” and “misleading.”
The video had led some social media users to believe that the victim was killed prior to the road incident.
However, Fifita said the video was not authentic, and was not treated as evidence to the case.
“Our charging was based on facts and medical evidence.”
Additionally, Fifita said there was no concern from the family of the victim related to this matter.
He said the people who shared this video on social media had not directly handed it to the Police, therefore it was not evidence, hence Police would not take further action on it.
