A 36-year-old man died when the Pajero vehicle he was driving crashed into a container on the roadside, on By-Pass Road at Pahu early Sunday morning, September 18.

At around 4:00am police responded to the incident that involved two motor vehicles, which had both crashed into the container on the roadside as they were heading west.

Both drivers are alleged to have been driving under the influence of alcohol.

The victim from Houmakelikao died at the scene, while the driver of the car, a 24-year-old man from Hala’ovave, has been charged with reckless driving causing death.

Road deaths in Tonga this year have reached 15, comparing with only eight at the same time last year.