A 29-year-old man from Tatakamotonga appeared at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa on May 3 on one count of manslaughter by negligence charge over the death of an elderly man who was hit by his vehicle on Christmas day in 2009.

Solomone Fukofuka of Tatakamotonga appeared for his jury trial before Chief Justice Hon Michael Dishington Scott, after initially pleading not guilty to the one count of manslaughter by negligence.

Acting Solicitor General Sione Sisifa, for the Crown, said the defendant was grossly negligent in his driving which caused the death of Viliami Falekaono, in the early morning of December 25, 2009 at Tatakamotonga.

The defendant represented by Sifa Tu'utafaiva was not disputing the cause of death. The issue before the jury is whether his driving amounted to that of being grossly negligent.

The Crown said Solomone was driving under the influence of alcohol and was excessively speeding when with his minibus hit Viliami as he crossed the road.

The court was told that the victim was walking home after drinking Tongan kava at a kava club at Tatakamotonga.

The jury trial is expected to reach a verdict this week, with the Crown calling a total of eight witnesses.

The maximum penalty for manslaughter by negligence in Tonga is imprisonment not exceeding 10 years.