Tonga Police reportedly said they were investigating after the body of a young man was found dead on Tuesday morning in Eastern (Hahake) Tongatapu.
Esilani Latu. 21, allegedly died from injuries that were consistent with being struck by a vehicle, Police reportedly said. His body was found on Hala Liku Road between Nakolo and Fua’amotu
However, the police were not so sure if this was the cause of death.
A post-mortem report confirmed that the young man was run over by a car.
However, the report also showed other injuries that may have been inflicted elsewhere. The deceased was allegedly under the influence of alcohol.
As the investigation was underway, a man who identified himself in a live-streamed video as an alleged witness made an appeal on Facebook.
The live-streamer, who goes by the name Vee Town, has urged a vehicle driver, who he believes might be aware of the incident, to come forward.
Vee Town said that he was intoxicated and seated in the back of the vehicle as a passenger when they appeared to have stumbled upon the scene.
Person of interest
Meanwhile, Police said they had identified a person of interest who was driving but had since left for New Zealand.
They confiscated a vehicle that the driver was operating.
The driver, a New Zealand resident, was scheduled to leave for New Zealand on the same day the incident occurred, the Police said.
The authority appealed to the community to share any information they might have.
Meanwhile, heartfelt tributes to the victim began flooding social media platforms.
Some described the victim as “tamasi’i angalelei”.
Others sent their love with photos of them with the victim.
