Vatulele Tuputupu (43) from Niutoua was charged with manslaughter by negligence and driving under the influence of alcohol causing the death of a female passenger in an accident on Taufa'ahau Road at Lapaha on August 1.

The defendant appeared this morning, August 10 at the Mu'a Magistrate's court represented by counsel Laki Niu.

The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Naufahu, said that Vatulele's case was adjourned to August 31 at the request of his counsel. He will then elect whether he would have a Preliminary Inquiry at the Magistrate's Court or have his case submitted to the Supreme Court, said the police prosecutor.

The defendant who is a Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Justice, was arrested following the accident on August 1 and was remanded in custody until August 4 when he was released on bail.

Police earlier reported the accused was driving a government car and the victim was a female passenger aged 47, also from Niutoua.

The vehicle was traveling northwards along Taufa'ahau Road and collided with the back of a heavy equipment vehicle parked on the left side of Taufa'ahau Road at Lapaha.

Police confirmed that the passenger female died at the scene from multiple fractures to the chest area and head injuries.