Manase Kaho ‘I Vailahi Funaki has been sentenced to five years in prison, with the final two years suspended, after pleading guilty to reckless driving causing the deaths of his two children in a tragic crash earlier this year.
The 37-year-old father admitted to driving at excessive speeds with defective tires, which led to the fatal accident on Hihifo Road on January 22, 2025.
The court heard that Funaki was travelling with his wife and their two children – 12-year-old Salesi and 9-year-old Dorothy – when the crash occurred.
Despite his wife’s repeated warnings to slow down, Funaki continued attempting to overtake multiple vehicles at high speed. Near the village of Hofoa, he lost control of the vehicle due to a faulty tire, causing the car to veer off the road, roll over, and crash into a fence.
Both children were pronounced dead upon arrival at Vaiola Hospital.
During police questioning five days after the crash, Funaki admitted he had been driving approximately 80 km/h and was aware of the vehicle’s defective tires prior to the accident.
In sentencing, Justice Tupou KC said Funaki has a clean record, cooperated with the police, has demonstrated genuine remorse and has received his wife’s forgiveness, factors that demonstrate that some suspension in his sentence will likely be used positively for his rehabilitation.
Under the terms of the sentence, Funaki will serve three years in prison, with the final two years suspended for two years on strict conditions.
These include mandatory counselling, probation supervision upon release, and a two-year driver’s license ban.
Justice Tupou warned that any violation of these conditions would result in Funaki serving the remainder of his full sentence.
