A 28-year-old man is in critical conditional at Vaiola Hospital after the car he was driving crashed on Hihifo Road in Hofoa early Sunday morning, July 16.

Acting Chief Superintendent Tevita Vailea today said the victim from Houma was a driver that was allegedly involved in a speeding race with another vehicle heading to the western side.

Due to the speeding race, he crashed into another vehicle that was coming from the opposite direction of the road towards Nuku’alofa.

"Driving under the influence of alcohol was also a factor in this accident. The other driver who was in the second vehicle involved in this race fled the scene."

The victim sustained head injuries. No one else was seriously injured, he said.