A two-year-old passenger died when the vehicle she was in crashed into a tree on the side of a road at Navutoka, eastern Tongatapu on Saturday evening, 29 April.

Tonga Police today stated that the 66-year-old male driver was heading in the northern direction on the Halatahi Road in Navutoka with three passengers, that included a 69-year-old man from Kolofo’ou and his two young daughters, aged five and two-years.

“The driver is alleged to have been intoxicated at the time lost control of the wheel, which caused the car to swerve to the right side of the road where it crashed onto the ‘toa’ tree causing injuries to him and his passengers.”

“The victims were rushed to Vaiola Hospital and at around 10:00pm, with the two-year old was confirmed to have passed away.”

Police investigations into the incident is ongoing as the others, including the driver remain at the hospital.

Although this the first road fatality for Tongatapu so far this year, it is the second for Tonga with the first road victim from Vava’u earlier in the year.

Tonga Police urged drivers to take their responsibility while driving seriously and in particular to be mindful, when driving especially when their passengers’ lives depend on them and to be cautious not only for their safety, but for the safety of others to avoid causing unnecessary harm.