Tonga Police says a fatal crash leaves one woman dead and the female driver injured on Saturday after a car crashed into a power pole.
Two other women who were also passengers in the vehicle were uninjured.
The driver was a 41-year-old while the deceased was a 51-year-old.
They were rushed to the hospital in critical condition before the 51-year-old passenger passed away the following day.
The Police said the fatal incident occurred at around 8am on Saturday 17 December 2022,
They said they received reports from Kolonga village of a road accident involving four women from Afā village.
The road death tallies the total of road fatalities at fourteen for the year so far.
“Police inquiries confirm that the four female persons were on their way home in one vehicle from the capital, Nuku’alofa to Afā via Halatahi Road when the driver fell asleep on the wheels causing the vehicle to swerve and hit an electric pole on the side of the road”, a Police statement read.
Police said the driver remains in critical condition.
“With this spike in road deaths and with the holiday season involving celebrations and festivities, Tonga Police once again urges members of the public and road users to please take their responsibility when on public roads seriously. Be responsible for your safety and the safety of your passengers and be respectful and thoughtful towards other road users.
“Tonga Police will intentionally reinforce its road safety services throughout the holiday season including deploying alcohol breath testing teams to strategic locations to assist with removing intoxicated drivers from our roads and charging them for violation of Traffic laws. Do the smart thing and call for pick up, take a taxi, or arrange for a sober driver if you are out drinking.
“Let’s work together to maintain safety and prevent further deaths on our roads.”
Contact Police at 740-1630, 740-1632 or 922 to report crime.
