Tonga Police allege that alcohol was involved in the road accident where two people died in the early morning of 21 September on Taufa’ahau Road at Nualei.

The deceased were the driver, a 28-year-old man from Veitongo, and a passenger a 19-year-old woman from Pātangata, Police reported today.

Three people remain in hospital with serious injuries.

A total of five people were in this vehicle, when their car crashed at around 1:30am.

“Police inquiries confirmed today that the five people were two men and three women, aged 19 to 28 years, who were consuming alcohol before the crash,” Tonga Police said in a new statement.

“The two men were first drinking at Reload Bar and had picked up the three women from Fasi, when the bar closed before returning to Lapaha where they continued to consume alcohol. 

Police said that although they were intoxicated and it was curfew time, the parties decided to go to Vaini.

“The two men got into an argument, while on their way and given the high speed used, the driver lost control of the vehicle”, alleged Tonga Police.

Beer was also found in the vehicle.

Meanwhile, the three survivors, including a 28-year-old man from Lapaha, and two 21-year-old women from Fasi and Sopu, who sustained serious injuries remain in Vaiola Hospital.

“Tonga Police is looking to strengthen its strategies relating to Road Safety and Crime Prevention through strict enforcement, in particular, at targeted locations, in addition to outreach programs to raise awareness in our communities,” Tonga Police stated today.