Speed Kills [1]
Saturday, September 26, 1998 - 10:00. Updated on Sunday, December 6, 2015 - 15:59.
From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 13, no. 3, October 1998.
Two passengers died when a rental car left the road at high speed and smashed into a coconut tree in the early hours of September 13, east of Fatai village on Tongatapu.
Chief Inspector ‘Unga Tangitau Fifita, said that the car had been travelling west along Hala Hihifo. The police estimated that it must have been travelling at over 100 kph when it went out of control. The car, which was rented from E. M. Jones Ltd., broke in half after hitting the tree. The deceased were Leha‘uli Talamai ‘o ‘Ahau, from ‘Eua, and Ronald Hokafonu Seniloli, a Tongan-Fijian. Critically injured were Tevita Vea, the driver, and his cousin Sosefo Vea.
Six people have died on Tongan roads so far this year, compared with 14 at the same time last year. The total road toll last year was 16 dead.