Police arrests 20-year-old male suspect in relation to accident involving foreign national
Police have arrested a 20-year old male suspect in relation to the fatal accident involving a foreign national in the Bahai area, Honiara on 3rd December 2023.
Director National Traffic Department of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF), Superintendent William Foufaka confirms to SIBC News that the suspect is currently remanded in police custody.
” The 20-year old male whose name will be withheld due to security reasons is a local from Malaita. He was arrested yesterday and is now being questioned by the Police. Investigations are ongoing and our officers are working on getting all information’s related to the accident.”
The deceased is part Cook Islands and Samoa and resides in Papua New Guinea.
Mr. Foufaka confirms the deceased was a pilot with Air Niugini and was in the country upon invitation by his brother, a doctor with the Cook Islands team for the Pacific Games whom he has not seen for five years.
He said the deceased was with a friend in front of the fish and chips shop at the Bahai sea-side area when he got hit by the suspect on Sunday morning.
According to the Police Media Unit, the vehicle was travelling in an easterly direction at high speed with the suspect allegedly under the influence of liquor.
As the vehicle reached Saru beach it veered from the road, hit the rail outside from the low lane which pushed the vehicle back to the high lane.
The vehicle, still moving at the same speed then hit the island at the St. Nicholas Junction resulting in the vehicle to leap and hit the rail outside of the low lane again and hit the deceased.
Mr. Foufaka adds as investigations is ongoing, he calls on the public to support the Police with any information’s regarding the accident.
He sternly reminds the public to take extra precautions when driving and to avoid driving under the influence of alcohol.
” We are currently in the wet season so our roads require safe driving. As we are also in the festive season, if you want to drink, drink at home or go to the pubs and have someone else to drive you home. Because when you drink and drive, you become a danger to members of the public,” said Foufaka.
ENDS//