Liufau Latu (30) was sentenced last week to three-years three-months imprisonment for causing the death of his passenger Tevita Moa Taufa (27) last year in Fatai. 

The accused from Nukunuku, was found guilty on reckless driving causing death, after a trial by jury on August 27 at the Supreme Court.

He drove the vehicle and the victim was seated in the front passenger seat.

The Crown submitted that in the early morning of February 28, 2019 at Fatai while driving west on Hihifo Road, the accused attempted to overtake a vehicle in front of him.

This resulted in the left rear end of his vehicle colliding with the right front part of the vehicle in front, causing the vehicle he was driving to swerve off the road and crashed into a power pole, after 1:00am.

The victim was rushed to Vaiola Hospital where he was confirmed by doctors to be dead on arrival, with the cause of death severe head injury. 

In sentencing the accused to three-years and three-months imprisonment, the final 18-months was suspended.

This was on conditions that he must not commit any offence during suspension, placed on probation, must not drink alcohol and undergo a course of alcohol rehabilitation.

In addition, he was warned that failure to comply with suspension conditions would see him serve the 18-months.

The accused, victim and others had a night out in town on February 27 before the crash occured.