A 42-year-old mother, who was hospitalised from the road crash at Pea earlier this month, succumbed to her injuries on Friday, 19 May. Her three children and her husband, who was the driver, were injured and are being monitored at Vaiola Hospital.

Police today confirmed the death after receiving confirmation from the hospital that the woman, who was one of the five injured from the road accident had died at around 6:40am.

The car accident occurred on Sunday, 14 May at around 7:40pm resulting in the injuries of a 30-year-old male driver, who is now identified as the husband, along with his four passengers, the deceased with their three children, a 10-year-old girl and two boys, aged five and three-years old.

Police alleged their vehicle was heading in a northern direction on the Taufa’ahau Road when the driver recklessly sped and lost control of the wheel, which caused the car to swerve and hit another vehicle that was parked on the side of the road adjacent to the Free Wesleyan Church at Pea, before crashing onto the church’s fence.

They were rushed to the hospital with serious injuries.

Road Safety enforcement

Tonga Police stated its their intention to bolster its road safety enforcement measures starting this weekend by running checkpoints at strategic locations, with a focus on drunk driving, so police officers will be carrying out alcohol breath tests.

“The public is reminded to kindly cooperate when and if stopped by police officers for alcohol breath testing. It is an easy and quick process, especially if you have not been drinking, so please just follow the police officers’ instructions.

“It is also important to note that refusing to take either of the Screening Breath Test or the Evidential Breath Test is an offence, where one shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000, or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding three-years, or to both, and the Court may order that the convicted person be disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence for a period not exceeding three-years,” Tonga Police stated.