A 20-year-old male suspect has been apprehended by the police in connection to the tragic incident that occurred in Honiara on December 3, 2023, resulting in the death of a foreign national.
The victim, who hails from a mixed heritage of Cook Islands and Samoa, was in the country to visit his brother, who was leading the Cook Islands team at the 17th Pacific Games. It is noteworthy that the deceased resided in Papua New Guinea.
The National Traffic Department (NTD) of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has verified that the deceased was not part of the sports team but had come to meet his brother. Superintendent William Foufaka, the Director of NTD, revealed that the vehicle involved in the incident was traveling at a high speed in an easterly direction. Allegedly, the suspect was impaired by alcohol at the time.
Foufaka detailed the sequence of events, stating that the vehicle, while approaching Saru Beach, deviated from the road and collided with the rail on the outer side of the low lane. This impact propelled the vehicle back onto the high lane, where it continued at the same high speed. The vehicle subsequently collided with the central island at St. Nicholas Junction. Following this collision, the vehicle soared through the air and struck the rail on the outer side of the low lane. The violent collision caused the vehicle to twist, ultimately leading to the fatal injury of the deceased.
The investigation into this tragic incident is ongoing, and the police urge any individuals who were present at the scene during the accident to come forward with any relevant information.
Superintendent Foufaka expressed the condolences of the Commissioner of Police, as well as the entire RSIPF, to the grieving family during this challenging period. Foufaka emphasized the police force's consistent advocacy for road safety and lamented the ignorance of some drivers who fail to adhere to traffic regulations, reiterating a crucial message: "If you drink, don't drive."