Police have issued a correction over a prior statement about a crash involving a pedestrian in Tonga’s ‘Eua island.
The driver actually stopped and rushed the injured young man to the Niu’eiki hospital. It was not a hit and run crash, Police said in a second statement this afternoon.
“Police at ‘Eua confirmed that the road accident at ‘Ohonua on Thursday, 22 December 2022 where the 15-year-old man was injured was not a ‘hit-and-run’ as initially reported”.
When the Police announced the pedestrian’s injury on Monday, it said the victim had been hit while crossing a road in ‘Ohonua by a 71-year-old driver who had not stopped.
“What the driver failed to do was to report the accident to Police”, it said in its correction.
“Section 47(3) of the Traffic Act obligates a driver that caused an accident that involves injury to report the accident in person at the nearest police station or to a Police Officer no later than one hour after the time of the accident unless the driver is incapable of doing so due to him sustaining injuries in the accident”.
The driver has been charged with reckless driving and for failure to report the accident to Police within one hour of the accident.
Tonga Police would like to remind drivers of their obligations where accidents occur. At the same time, we encourage members of the public to focus more on the prevention side by being careful and responsible while on the roads and maintaining safety for yourself and others.
Contact Police at 740-1630,740-1632 or 922 to report crime.
