UPDATED: The woman who died in a head-on collision in Tongatapu on Sunday has been identified by a family member to Kaniva News.
Sitela Fungavaka, 76, died after a car she was a passenger in and driven by her husband Sitiveni Fungavaka collided with another car on Hala Tahi road at Talafo’ou.
Sitiveni, who was also known by the name ‘Āmone Afu, was a former police officer and also a former ‘Ikale Tahi captain. He was unharmed, his daughter Vāsiti Fungavaka told Kaniva News.
It is understood the deceased’s children and grandchildren in New Zealand gathered for a prayer vigil for their mother in Auckland this week.
As Kaniva News reported on Monday, police have arrested and charged a 21-year-old man from Vaini with reckless driving causing death.
Police said: “A car heading south driven by the accused with two other passengers were speeding along Hala Tahi at Talafoóu, lost control of the vehicle, swerved and crashed into a car heading north driven by a man from Holonga…”
The two passengers who were with the accused sustained serious injuries and were taken to the hospital.
