A 22-year-old man has been arrested in relation to the death of a 52-year-old man, whom he allegedly hit with his vehicle on Taupi Road, eastern Tongatapu on Friday night, June 15.

Police allege that the accused did not stop to ascertain injury or death. Acting Superintendent, Sisi Toutai Tonga at the Mu’a Police Station said today the accused from Fua’amotu was arrested later on Friday night, and was being held in custody.

The accused was travelling north heading to Tatakamotonga on Taupi Road when his vehicle collided with the victim, who was riding a bicycle on his way home from his bush allotment at around 8:35pm. 

When the victim failed to return home at Tatakamotonga, the victim's family went to check on his whereabouts and found him lying on the side of Taupi Road along with his bicycle, he said.

"An accident like this is preventable and everyone needs to do their part to reduce deaths and injuries on our roads," said the Acting Superintendent.

This is the 15^th road fatality in Tonga so far this year.